exclude

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "exclude" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of leaving someone or something out, such as in the following sentence: The club's membership policy excludes anyone under the age of eighteen.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Zuwara is popular because it is close to Sicily, 300 miles north, and because it is populated by ethnic Amazigh (Berbers), who exclude outside security forces, giving smugglers a freer hand, according to Tripoli police.

The Guardian

He told reporters he had said to Tsipras that he continued to exclude the idea of a Grexit – "because I don't want to see it" – but that he could not "pull a rabbit out of a hat".

The Guardian

Although this is not yet the case for Westminster's general elections, it would be wrong to exclude them from a vote on the UK's European membership.

The Guardian - Opinion

If financial inclusion as a goal is not tabled on the international agenda, we will lack concerted efforts to ensure that systemic factors that exclude the rural and under-served segments are eliminated.

The Guardian

A "deeply disappointed" Tokyo said earlier this week it would honour Monday's judgement by the international court of justice (ICJ) in The Hague, but did not exclude the possibility of future whaling programs.

The Guardian

"This time it was União da Madeira, his eighth promotion, from the second division to the first tier (or seventh if we exclude last year as he was sacked before the end of the season): P. Ferreira 90-91, Académica 96-97, U. Leiria 97-98, Belenenses 98-99, Leixões 06-07, Arouca 12-13, Moreirense 13-14 and U. Madeira 14-15.

The Guardian - Sport

To exclude the SNP would be a failure to deliver these democratic duties.

The Guardian - Opinion

The figures exclude cancer cases, which are currently under separate investigation after the hospital was accused of tampering with data last November.

The Guardian

Steiner Waldorf schools, which exclude screen time before the age of 12 in favour of physical activity, art and experiential learning, are particularly popular with Silicon Valley executives and their UK counterparts.

The Guardian - Tech

Whereas a personality-driven show can have an ageless appeal, a music-driven one, in the right hands, will quickly articulate exactly who the show is aimed at and not be afraid to exclude.

The Guardian

Mr Robinson said of Sinn Féin: "Those who refuse to meet the entry requirements exclude themselves, we are not excluding them".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exclude", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being excluded and from what. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "exclude" with prepositions like "from" when it's redundant. For instance, instead of saying "exclude someone from a group", simply say "exclude someone".

Linguistic Context

The word "exclude" functions primarily as a transitive verb. It signifies the act of preventing something or someone from entering, being part of, or being considered within a specific context. As supported by Ludwig, this verb indicates a deliberate action to keep something out.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exclude" functions as a verb that denotes barring or preventing something from being included or considered. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It commonly appears in news, business, and scientific contexts, often serving the purpose of defining limitations or restrictions. While typically neutral in register, its formality can increase depending on the specific situation. When writing, ensure clarity about what is being excluded to avoid any ambiguity. The alternative phrases provide useful options for expressing similar ideas with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave out

Focuses on omitting something from a list or consideration.

omit

Implies a deliberate act of not including something.

remove

Suggests taking something away or preventing it from being part of something.

eliminate

Indicates a complete removal to prevent inclusion.

preclude

Emphasizes preventing something from happening or being possible.

rule out

Indicates dismissing something as a possibility or option.

disqualify

Implies making someone ineligible or unfit for something.

debar

Suggests formally preventing someone from doing something.

shut out

Focuses on preventing access or participation.

expel

Indicates forcing someone out or removing them from a group or place.

FAQs

How to use "exclude" in a sentence?

You can use "exclude" to indicate that something or someone is not allowed to be part of a group or activity. For example, "The new policy will exclude temporary workers from receiving benefits."

What can I say instead of "exclude"?

You can use alternatives like "leave out", "omit", or "remove" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "exclude someone from" or "exclude someone"?

While "exclude someone from" is sometimes used, it is often more concise and grammatically sound to simply say "exclude someone". The preposition "from" is frequently redundant.

What's the difference between "exclude" and "include"?

"Exclude" means to prevent something or someone from being part of a group or activity, while "include" means to allow or contain something as part of a whole. They are antonyms.