does not cancel out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does not cancel out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that one factor or element does not negate or eliminate the effect of another. Example: "While the new policy aims to reduce costs, it does not cancel out the need for quality control in our production process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

One fact does not cancel out another.

The Guardian - Books

Black absurdity does not cancel out sadistic, palm-sweating tension as we are told how the machine kills: over the course of 12 hours, the prisoner is to be harrowed by needles, his sentence engraved on to his body.

The Guardian - Books

Setting aside the fact that promising the general good is precisely what the scoundrel but soon to-be-president Donald J Trump did to get elected, his civic wrong does not cancel out my own.

The Guardian

This is a disappointing fact, but it does not cancel out the ingenuity shown by the soldiers, many of them only in their twenties, who have ethically managed budgets equivalent to that of a small town or medium-sized business.

The New Yorker

That these are intricate and sometimes problematic, that they might be in tension with, even contradict, each other, that we must do considerable analytic and  philosophical work in their explication does not cancel out their equal profundity — equal to religion, that is —  in justifying human rights.

The New York Times

The day of Renzi's New York appearance, the editor of Milan's Corriere della Sera, Ferruccio de Bortoli, wrote a rather stern editorial that seemed almost to comment in advance on Renzi's talk: "A stream of tweets does not cancel out the need for a well-written decree".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

While Elton's fame may be immense, it doesn't cancel out his homosexuality.

The Guardian - Opinion

Guinness and his gang are brought to justice, but that doesn't cancel out the giddy excitement of their spree.

The Guardian - Film

That means a high HDL doesn't cancel out high LDL when it comes time to determine whether to start lifestyle or drug therapy.

Harvard University

It also helps to remember there's always more than one "true story," and your partner's reality doesn't cancel out yours.

University of California, Berkeley

Claire loves her son, but music has always been "the true great thing" in her life, and the new love doesn't cancel out the old.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "does not cancel out", ensure that the two elements being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The benefits of exercise does not cancel out the risks of a poor diet."

Common error

Avoid assuming that "does not cancel out" implies equivalence. It simply means one factor doesn't negate the other, not that they have equal influence. "Having good intentions does not cancel out harmful actions" doesn't mean the intentions are now considered good.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not cancel out" functions as a negative assertion, indicating that one element or action does not negate or eliminate the effect of another. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's used to express that despite one factor, another remains relevant or impactful.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "does not cancel out" is a versatile phrase used to express that one factor doesn't negate the effect or validity of another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, media and scientific writing. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse audiences. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in defining the compared elements and avoid the misconception that it implies equivalence. Alternatives like "does not negate" or "does not invalidate" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does not negate

Replaces "cancel out" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the nullification aspect.

does not nullify

Similar to "does not negate", but suggests a more legal or official context.

does not invalidate

Focuses on the lack of rendering something without value.

does not counteract

Highlights the absence of opposing forces neutralizing each other.

does not offset

Emphasizes the lack of balancing or compensating effect.

does not override

Suggests that the original effect persists and is not superseded.

is not undone by

Rephrases the idea in a passive voice, focusing on the action not being reversed.

is not erased by

Emphasizes the permanence, suggesting the effect remains visible or relevant.

is not diminished by

Suggests that the primary point remains significant, and it is not minimized.

is not eliminated by

Focuses on the idea that something is not removed or gotten rid of.

FAQs

How can I use "does not cancel out" in a sentence?

Use "does not cancel out" to indicate that one factor or action doesn't negate the effect of another. For example, "While technology can improve efficiency, it "does not cancel out" the need for human oversight."

What are some alternatives to "does not cancel out"?

Alternatives include "does not negate", "does not nullify", or "does not invalidate", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "does not cancel out"?

Yes, "does not cancel out" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It follows standard grammatical rules and is widely accepted.

What's the difference between "does not cancel out" and "does not diminish"?

"Does not cancel out" means one factor doesn't negate the other entirely, while "does not diminish" implies that one factor doesn't reduce the effect of the other. For instance, "Effort "does not cancel out" talent" means effort is still valuable even with talent. "Effort "does not diminish" talent" means that effort actually increase talent.