cross out

USAGE SUMMARY

'cross out' is a correct and usable phrase in written English, meaning "to draw a line through or delete something".
For example: "I made a few mistakes on the page, so I had to cross out certain words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I cross out fresh fruit.

The Guardian - Travel

You can't cross out history.

The New York Times - Arts

First, cross out the Romance category in your Zagat guide.

The New York Times - Food

Would we have to cross out more destinations?

The New York Times - Travel

People would cross out ones they didn't like and would star others.

The Guardian - Arts

Just cross out "on purpose" and replace it with "for flexing".

The New Yorker

The 14 men fell further behind when crisp passing saw Jess cross out wide.

BBC

Back at home, you could cross out the word "party" and replace it with "Nixon".

Huffington Post

Then, cut the center of the cross out, leaving 1/2-inch seam allowance.

Huffington Post

It didn't cross out minds that one of brothers could have been linked to these attacks.

Huffington Post

Participants are requested to cross out the items in the right order.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In brainstorming sessions, encourage participants to "cross out" less promising ideas to narrow down options efficiently.

Common error

Don't use "cross out" when you intend to completely hide the original text. "Cross out" implies the original text is still readable, whereas "black out" suggests concealing the text entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "cross out" functions primarily as a transitive verb, requiring an object. Ludwig examples show it used to indicate the removal or deletion of something, be it text, items on a list, or potential options. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "cross out" is a versatile and commonly used term for indicating the deletion or removal of something, particularly text or options. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. While generally neutral, it leans towards informal, making it suitable for a wide range of contexts from news and media to wikis. However, more formal situations might benefit from synonyms like "eliminate" or "remove". Remember to differentiate it from "black out", which implies complete concealment. With these tips, you can confidently use "cross out" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strike through

Focuses on the visual action of drawing a line through something, similar to "cross out".

scratch out

Similar to "cross out", but suggests a more forceful or hurried action.

eliminate

Emphasizes complete removal, which is a broader concept than just crossing something out.

delete

Highlights the act of removing text or data, typically in a digital context.

remove

Indicates taking something away, not necessarily with a visible mark.

omit

Suggests leaving something out intentionally, often to shorten or simplify.

erase

Implies removing something completely, as if it never existed.

cancel

Indicates nullifying or voiding something, like an appointment or order.

invalidate

Focuses on making something no longer valid or acceptable.

rule out

Means to exclude something as a possibility or option.

FAQs

How do I use "cross out" in a sentence?

You can use "cross out" to indicate the removal of text or an option. For instance, "I had to "cross out" several names from the guest list."

What is another way to say "cross out"?

Alternatives for "cross out" include "strike through", "eliminate", or "delete", depending on the context.

Is it better to "cross out" or "delete" text?

The choice between "cross out" and "delete" depends on the purpose. "Cross out" keeps the original text visible, while "delete" removes it completely. Use "cross out" when you want to show what was changed and "delete" when you want to remove the text entirely.

When should I use "cross out" versus "rule out"?

"Cross out" is for physically marking something for removal, while "rule out" is for excluding a possibility or option. For example, "I will "cross out" the wrong answer on the test" versus "We can "rule out" that suspect because he has an alibi."