crosses out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crosses out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the action of drawing a line through text to indicate that it should be ignored or removed. Example: "She crosses out the mistakes in her notes to ensure she doesn't repeat them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He crosses out "chimpanzee" and substitutes "tame bear".

The New Yorker

He crosses out "Pay attention to this passage, it could mean war".

The New Yorker

But it also crosses out hundreds of millions of dollars worth of unspent appropriations passed in previous years, severely crimping the governor's ability to direct money to projects he likes.

The New York Times

Anyone who has watched a movie star selecting the "right" shot from a sheet of contact prints knows that the frames that he or she crosses out, to embargo their publicity use, are likely to be the ones that are, in the photographer's view, the truest.

The Guardian - Arts

The lone female resident wears a full burqa covered in safety-pins and patches with phrases such as "Who would Jesus bomb?" She crosses out sections of the Koran that she doesn't like, has a framed quote from Patti Smith in her bedroom and a Banksy book on her shelf.

The Economist

(Nicole Herrington Richard IIIII: Born With Teeth' (previews start on Tuesday; opens on April 21) The logo for this modern-day adaptation by Epic Theater Ensemble actually crosses out the name of Shakespeare's hunchbacked usurper, replacing it with that apocryphal natal dental factoid from the play.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Some are crossed out.

Yale University

I cross out adjectives.

The New York Times - Science

His bucket list is all crossed out.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

("$9 lb" had been crossed out).

The New Yorker

I cross out fresh fruit.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When revising a document, use "crosses out" to clearly indicate sections that are no longer relevant but should remain visible for context, which helps in tracking changes and understanding the evolution of the text.

Common error

In professional or formal writing, avoid excessive use of "crosses out". Consider replacing deleted sections with tracked changes or footnotes to maintain a cleaner and more polished appearance.

Linguistic Context

The verb phrase "crosses out" functions as a transitive verb, indicating an action performed on an object (e.g., text, item). Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for describing the act of marking something for deletion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "crosses out" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase that describes the action of marking something for deletion by drawing a line through it. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used in both News & Media and Academia. While versatile, it's important to consider the context; more formal documents might benefit from using tracked changes instead. Alternatives include "strikes through", "erases", and "scratches out". Remember, clarity is key, and choosing the right phrase ensures your message is effectively conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strikes through

Very similar to "crosses out", but might imply a more forceful action of drawing a line.

scratches out

Suggests a rough or hurried action of removal, implying less care than "crosses out".

erases

Implies a more thorough removal, often suggesting that no trace remains, unlike "crosses out" which leaves the original text visible.

deletes

Suggests removing text digitally or electronically, differing from the manual act of "crosses out".

cancels

Indicates making something void or ineffective, which can be similar to "crosses out" in the context of removing an item from a list.

voids

Similar to 'cancels' but often used in a more formal or legal context.

removes

A broader term encompassing any act of taking something away, less specific than "crosses out".

marks out

Implies highlighting or identifying something for removal or exclusion, which is a slightly different nuance.

edits out

Implies removing something during a revision process, typically related to writing or media.

obliterates

Indicates a complete and thorough removal, making the original text illegible.

FAQs

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

You can use "crosses out" to indicate the removal of text by drawing a line through it, as in, "The editor "crosses out" the unnecessary words in the manuscript".

What's the difference between "crosses out" and "deletes"?

"Crosses out" typically refers to a manual action of marking text for removal while still leaving it visible, whereas "deletes" implies a complete removal, often in a digital context.

What can I say instead of "crosses out"?

Alternatives to "crosses out" include phrases like "strikes through", "erases", or "scratches out", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "crosses out" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "crosses out" when you want to show the process of revision or when maintaining a record of changes is important, such as in drafts or collaborative documents. In final, polished documents, cleaner methods like tracked changes are preferable.