fully rule out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fully rule out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that something has been completely eliminated as a possibility or option. Example: "After reviewing all the evidence, we can fully rule out any involvement from the suspect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It is understood that this is seen as a "medium-term option" that does not fully rule out integration in the future.

The Times

Chancellor Angela Merkel has told German business leaders that she could not fully rule out no deal "because we still have no result" from the talks.

The Guardian

Up until Wednesday, House Democrats had refused to fully rule out a potential vote on the Bush-era tax cuts, which are due to expire at the end of the year.

The New York Times

Although we cannot fully rule out potential confounds related to differences in general memory performance, memory decay on time, and interference between overnight and newly acquired memories (cf. Hulbert and Norman40), we undertook several steps to mitigate these confounding factors.

Nature

In this case, the relationship between recombination, open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current is not as trivial as with solid-state solar cells, and so we can't fully rule out differences in recombination using these ligands.

Nature

Although we cannot fully rule out the possibility that respondents exaggerated their opposition toward the Islamic State, there are strong indications that the respondents answered our questions truthfully on the whole.

The Washington Post

Daniel Sol Rueda, a researcher at the Center for Research on Ecology and Forestry Applications in Spain who was not involved in the study, said that the study did not fully rule out other, non-learning explanations, such as hormonal changes or social dominance leading older elk to use safer areas,.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Therefore, Cobb Mt is the more suitable chron, although Jaramillo cannot be fully ruled out.

Quaternary International

This is why the researchers have not fully ruled out lamotrigine's ability to treat early HD.

Stanford University

While Mr Obama has not fully ruled out the possibility of launching air strikes, such action is not imminent, officials said, in part because intelligence agencies have been unable to identify clear targets on the ground.

Independent

While Wood was not fully ruled out of contention for the third Test, England always intended to be mindful of the right-armer's workload given his lack of cricket in an injury-troubled start to his professional career.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fully rule out", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being eliminated as a possibility and the basis for that elimination. For example, "After a thorough investigation, we can "fully rule out" any external interference."

Common error

Avoid using "fully rule out" if there is even a slight chance that the ruled-out possibility could still occur. Use qualifiers such as "highly unlikely" or "improbable" instead if complete certainty is not guaranteed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fully rule out" functions as a verb phrase used to express the act of eliminating a possibility completely. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples show its use in various contexts where a definitive exclusion is intended.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fully rule out" is a useful verb phrase for expressing the complete elimination of a possibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in writing, especially in contexts where certainty and finality are desired. It appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts and should be used when there is a strong basis for eliminating a particular option, avoiding overstatement if some uncertainty remains. Consider alternatives like "completely eliminate" or "totally dismiss" based on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely eliminate

This alternative emphasizes the thoroughness of the removal.

eliminate entirely

This is a straightforward alternative that stresses complete elimination.

remove all possibility

This alternative directly states the removal of any chance.

definitively exclude

This alternative highlights the finality and certainty of the exclusion.

totally dismiss

This suggests a quick rejection with no further consideration.

dismiss completely

This emphasizes a total lack of consideration or belief.

categorically reject

This emphasizes a strong and unambiguous refusal.

preclude absolutely

This suggests preventing something from happening with certainty.

totally preclude

This emphasizes the impossibility of something occurring.

discount entirely

This focuses on reducing the importance or relevance to zero.

FAQs

What does it mean to "fully rule out" something?

To "fully rule out" something means to completely eliminate it as a possibility or option, leaving no room for doubt or further consideration. It suggests a high degree of certainty based on available evidence or information.

How can I use "fully rule out" in a sentence?

You can use "fully rule out" when you want to state that something is definitively not the case. For example, "The doctor was able to "fully rule out" any serious underlying condition".

What are some alternatives to "fully rule out"?

Alternatives to "fully rule out" include "completely eliminate", "totally dismiss", or "definitively exclude". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "rule out" and "fully rule out"?

Yes, "fully rule out" emphasizes a greater degree of certainty and completeness compared to simply "rule out". While "rule out" suggests eliminating something as a possibility, "fully rule out" implies that the elimination is absolute and leaves no room for doubt.