What Does “remove sb sth” Mean?
The phrasal verb “remove sb sth” means to take something away from someone. It involves the action of taking or getting rid of an object or item that belongs to a person.
Introduction
The phrase “remove sb sth” is a common structure in English where “sb” stands for somebody and “sth” stands for something. This phrasal verb is used when you want to express that someone is having something taken from them, either physically or metaphorically. Understanding the remove sb sth meaning helps learners use it correctly in daily conversations or writing. It is important to know how to place the object and person correctly in the sentence to avoid confusion. This guide will explain its meaning, structure, and usage with examples to help you master it quickly.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: remove sb sth (remove somebody something)
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To take something away from someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
The phrasal verb “remove sb sth” is separable and transitive. This means you can place the object (sth) either before or after the person (sb), but the most common and clear structure is:
- remove + someone (sb) + something (sth)
Example: The doctor removed him his cast.
Note: Unlike some phrasal verbs, “remove sb sth” usually keeps the order: remove + sb + sth. You don’t say “remove sth sb”.
How to Use remove sb sth?
Use “remove sb sth” when you want to express that an object or item is taken away from a person. It often appears in formal or medical contexts but can be used in everyday situations as well. The verb “remove” is strong and clear, so it fits situations involving physical removal or taking away something important.
Examples
Imagine a doctor taking off a bandage or a teacher confiscating a phone. These are typical uses of “remove sb sth”.
- The nurse removed the patient his IV drip carefully.
- The teacher removed the student his phone during class.
- They removed the driver his license after the accident.
- The company removed the employee his access to the system.
- She removed her son his toy to stop him from playing in the mud.
These examples show how “remove sb sth in a sentence” clearly indicates taking something from someone.
Common Mistakes
It’s easy to confuse the word order or use the verb incorrectly. Here are some common errors and how to fix them.
- Incorrect: The teacher removed the phone the student.
- Correct: The teacher removed the student his phone.
- Incorrect: She removed him from the toy.
- Correct: She removed her son his toy.
Remember, the person (sb) comes before the object (sth) after “remove”.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “take away sb sth” and “get sb sth”. The main difference is in formality and meaning:
- Remove sb sth: More formal, used for official or physical removal.
- Take away sb sth: More casual, often used when removing something temporarily.
- Get sb sth: Means to obtain or bring something for someone (opposite meaning).
Example: The security guard removed the visitor his badge (formal, official). The waiter took away the customer his plate (casual, temporary).
Common Collocations
When using “remove sb sth,” certain nouns often appear as objects. Here are common collocations and their meanings:
- Remove sb their glasses: Taking away glasses, usually for safety.
- Remove sb their shoes: Asking someone to take off shoes.
- Remove sb their badge: Taking away identification or permission.
- Remove sb their access: Stopping someone’s permission to use a system.
- Remove sb their bandage: Taking off a medical dressing.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of remove sb sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “remove sb sth” naturally:
Doctor: I will remove you your stitches today.
Patient: Will it hurt?
Doctor: Just a little, but it’s necessary for healing.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “remove sb sth”:
- The teacher _______ the student _______ his phone during the exam.
- After the injury, the nurse _______ the patient _______ the bandage.
- The security guard _______ the visitor _______ his ID badge.
Answers:
- removed, his
- removed, her
- removed, their
FAQ
- Q: Can I say “remove sth sb” instead of “remove sb sth”?
A: No, the correct order is “remove sb sth”. - Q: Is “remove sb sth” formal or informal?
A: It is more formal and often used in official contexts. - Q: Can “remove sb sth” be used metaphorically?
A: Yes, it can mean taking away non-physical things like rights or access. - Q: What is the difference between “remove sb sth” and “take away sb sth”?
A: “Remove” is more formal, “take away” is more casual. - Q: Is “remove sb sth” separable?
A: Yes, but the common pattern is “remove + sb + sth”.
