cancelled out

USAGE SUMMARY

"cancelled out" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something, such as an action or event, has been nullified or rendered ineffective. For example, "The noise of the construction was cancelled out by the sound of the rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This in turn was cancelled out by the next entry.

The New Yorker

Noise from the office can be cancelled out with headphones.

The Guardian - Money

Whatever happens in elections is cancelled out by killing people.

The Guardian

It cancelled out a soft opener for the visitors.

The Guardian - Sport

It almost cancelled out the female weird - arty weird.

The Guardian - Books

The sentence was cancelled out by the time he had already served.

The Economist

Brilliant Mirallas opener cancelled out by Eriksen.

BBC

Peter Whittingham's wonder strike, however, was cancelled out by Vokes.

BBC

Romelu Lukaku's strike cancelled out Andriy Yarmolenko's wonderful opener.

BBC

Emmanuel Boateng earlier cancelled out Sergio Ramos' opener for Real.

BBC

Rakish Bingham cancelled out Michael Gardyne's splendid opener for County.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cancelled out" to clearly indicate that one effect or value has been negated by another, ensuring the sentence conveys a sense of balance or equilibrium.

Common error

Avoid using "cancelled out" in contexts where a more appropriate term like "negated" or "invalidated" would better convey the intended meaning, particularly when discussing abstract concepts rather than quantifiable effects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cancelled out" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the neutralization or negation of an effect or value. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in diverse contexts, consistent with Ludwig AI's explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cancelled out" functions as a phrasal verb, commonly employed to describe scenarios where opposing forces negate each other, leading to a balanced or ineffective state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse sources such as news, science, and academia. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure its application aligns with the intended meaning of neutralization rather than mere removal. Ludwig's examples highlight its prevalence in contexts requiring precise expression of equilibrium or offset effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nullified

Emphasizes the act of making something legally void or ineffective.

negated

Focuses on denying the truth or existence of something, leading to its invalidation.

offset

Highlights a balancing effect, where one thing compensates for another.

counteracted

Stresses the action of opposing something to reduce or nullify its effect.

invalidated

Implies that something has been proven to be without legal or factual basis.

voided

Similar to nullified, suggesting that something has been made completely ineffective.

balanced out

Suggests achieving equilibrium by having opposing forces or effects.

neutralized

Refers to making something harmless or ineffective, often in a chemical or political context.

annulled

Indicates the act of declaring something legally invalid, as in a marriage or contract.

undone

Focuses on reversing an action or its effects.

FAQs

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

Use "cancelled out" to describe a situation where opposing forces or actions neutralize each other. For example, "The benefits of the new policy were "cancelled out" by its high costs."

What are some alternatives to "cancelled out"?

You can use alternatives like "offset", "negated", or "counteracted" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the effects were cancelled" instead of "the effects were cancelled out"?

While "cancelled" can sometimes imply a similar meaning, "cancelled out" specifically emphasizes the idea of opposing forces neutralizing each other. Therefore, "cancelled out" is more precise when that's the intended meaning. Consider offset as an alternative.

What's the difference between "cancelled out" and "eliminated"?

"Cancelled out" implies a balancing or neutralizing effect, while "eliminated" suggests complete removal. If the effect is neutralized by another, use ""cancelled out""; if the effect is completely removed, use "eliminated".