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Prepositions after verbs

Clear by, of, for, in or to?

Clear has several common combinations. The meaning changes depending on the preposition or particle used.

Quick answer

How to use clear with prepositions

Clear of means remove obstacles or danger. Clear for means approve or make ready. Clear by can show a deadline or method. Clear to often means understandable or officially allowed. Clear in usually introduces an area or subject.

The road was cleared of snow.
She was cleared for travel.
Please finish the report by Friday.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
clear + object + of + obstacle

Removing something unwanted

Use of for removing objects, danger, or restrictions.

Workers cleared the street of debris.
The police cleared the area of traffic.
2
clear for + activity/use

Giving permission or readiness

Use for when something is approved or prepared.

The patient was cleared for surgery.
The runway was cleared for landing.
3
clear to + verb

Giving permission

Use to before an infinitive after clear in official contexts.

The pilot was cleared to take off.
She is cleared to return to work.
4
clear in + area

Showing clarity in a subject

In usually refers to the area where clarity exists.

The instructions are clear in tone and structure.
He was clear in his explanation.
5
clear by + time

Setting a deadline

By often introduces a time limit rather than a fixed verb-preposition pattern.

Please clear the desks by noon.
The goods must be cleared by Monday.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
clear of
The beach was cleared of rubbish.
Remove something unwanted.
clear for
She was cleared for competition.
Approve or prepare for an activity.
clear to
The aircraft was cleared to land.
Official permission to act.
clear in
He was clear in his answer.
Specific area or aspect of clarity.
clear by
Finish the room by six o'clock.
By introduces a deadline or method.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using clear from instead of clear of

Of is the standard pattern for removal.

✕ The road was cleared from snow. ✓ The road was cleared of snow.

Confusing clear for and clear to

For introduces an activity; to introduces an action verb.

✕ She was cleared for return to work. ✓ She was cleared to return to work.

Treating by as a required preposition

By often belongs to a time phrase, not directly to clear.

✕ We cleared by the boxes. ✓ We cleared the boxes by noon.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The area was cleared ___ smoke.
2. The athlete was cleared ___ competition.
3. The pilot was cleared ___ land.

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Frequently asked questions

Can clear be used without a preposition?

Yes. You can say clear the table or clear the screen.

Is clear for formal?

It is common in medical, military, and official contexts.

What does clear by mean?

Usually by introduces a deadline, as in clear the room by noon.

calculate, by, calculate, in, calculate, from "call for" or "call on"? "campaign for" or "campaign against"? cancel by, due, at, in or for? capitulate to, in, like, by or after? captivate by, for, with, from or in? "capture by" or "capture in"? "care about" or "care for"? carry with, by, in, to or into? carve into, out, in, on or with? cast in, into, for, by or on? "catch in", "catch by" or "catch on"?

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