cancel out

USAGE SUMMARY

"cancel out" is a phrase that is commonly used in written English.
You can use it when you want to communicate the idea of something being negated or rendered ineffective. For example: "The increase in taxes could cancel out the extra income earned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They cancel out all logic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That ugly things cancel out everything beautiful.

The Guardian

One fact does not cancel out another.

The Guardian - Books

Nor do the monthly revisions necessarily cancel out.

The New York Times

The increases may cancel out the interest rate cut.

The Guardian - Money

Or does the latter always cancel out the former?

The Guardian - Books

COPENHAGEN — Can a city cancel out its greenhouse gas emissions?

The New York Times

"All the errors cancel out," Joan laughs.

BBC

In effect, noise tends to cancel out.   6.

Security Informatics

You may have protective genes that cancel out that risk".

Forbes

Extra bacteria don't cancel out the sugar in the yogurt.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about scientific or mathematical concepts, use "cancel out" to clearly indicate that two opposing forces or values neutralize each other.

Common error

While "cancel out" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in informal writing where simpler terms like "negate" or "offset" might provide a more natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cancel out" functions as a verb, typically indicating the neutralization or negation of one thing by another. As Ludwig AI explains, it communicates the idea of something being rendered ineffective. Examples show its use in contexts ranging from scientific equations to everyday situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cancel out" is a common verb phrase used to describe how opposing forces or factors neutralize each other. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is commonly used in written English to communicate that something has been rendered ineffective. Analysis of its usage across various sources shows that it appears frequently in news, science, and academic writing. While generally neutral in register, it is important to be mindful of the context and consider more formal alternatives when appropriate. Remember that, as the examples illustrate, "cancel out" effectively conveys the idea of negation or neutralization in a clear and concise manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

balance out

Implies achieving equilibrium by opposing forces.

offset

Highlights balancing one thing against another.

counterbalance

Similar to balance out, but emphasizes opposing forces.

counteract

Suggests opposing something to reduce its effect.

neutralize

Focuses on rendering something harmless or ineffective.

negate

Focuses on denying the effectiveness or validity of something.

nullify

Implies making something legally void or ineffective.

undo

Suggests reversing the effects of something.

invalidate

Implies making something without value or force.

void

Similar to nullify, meaning to declare something not valid.

FAQs

How can I use "cancel out" in a sentence?

You can use "cancel out" to describe how opposing forces neutralize each other, like in the sentence, "The positive and negative charges "cancel out", resulting in a neutral state."

What are some alternatives to "cancel out"?

Alternatives to "cancel out" include "offset", "neutralize", or "counteract", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "cancel out" formal or informal language?

"Cancel out" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or scientific writing, consider alternatives like "nullify" or "negate" for increased precision.

What's the difference between "cancel out" and "balance out"?

While both suggest equilibrium, "cancel out" implies complete neutralization of opposing forces, whereas "balance out" suggests a state of equilibrium without necessarily eliminating all effects.