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Mr. Tom Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Prune or prune back/out

Hi

Which one of these is most natural/correct? Any suggestions are welcome.

You must prune all the unnecessary details from this essay.
You must prune away all the unnecessary details from this essay.
You must prune out all the unnecessary details from this essay.
You must prune back all the unnecessary details from this essay.

Thanks,

Tom
  

Top answer

I find "prune out" (on the model of "take out") the most natural. The others are not unreasonable, however. CJ

— CalifJim

  • I find "prune out" (on the model of "take out") the most natural.
  • The others are not unreasonable, however.
  • CJ
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2 Answers
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I find "prune out" (on the model of "take out") the most natural.

The others are not unreasonable, however.

CJ
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They are all in use, but "away" and "out" are redundant. Pruning is an act of taking away. "Prune back" has the sense of removal of overgrowth.
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