have been ruled out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been ruled out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that certain options, possibilities, or hypotheses have been eliminated or dismissed. Example: "After careful consideration, several potential causes for the issue have been ruled out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Guarantees have been ruled out, as has another public capital injection.

The Economist

Both additional money and further administrative upheaval have been ruled out, so what is left?

The Economist

Liverpool and Manchester have been ruled out due to fears of bias.

Independent

He also appeared to have been ruled out by the I.M.F.

The New York Times

Santonio Holmes and Dee Milliner have been ruled out with hamstring injuries.

The New York Times - Sports

No neighborhoods have been ruled out for rebuilding, no matter how damaged or dangerous.

The New York Times

"Jésica would have been ruled out; she was not compatible," Ms. Paschke said.

The New York Times

While league tables have been ruled out, some form of benchmarking of fundraising performance seems inevitable.

The Guardian

A trial seems to have been ruled out by the imperatives of systematic dehumanisation.

The Guardian - Books

And if physiological factors have been ruled out, look for a good sex therapist.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The obvious military options have been ruled out: too much blood has already been spilled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been ruled out" to clearly and definitively state that certain options or possibilities are no longer being considered. This phrase is appropriate in formal and informal contexts where clarity and finality are important.

Common error

Avoid using "have been ruled out" in very casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "we're not doing that" or "that's not an option" may be more appropriate and natural in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been ruled out" functions as a passive construction of the verb "rule out", indicating that certain options, possibilities, or candidates have been definitively eliminated from consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been ruled out" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction indicating the elimination of options or possibilities. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and utility across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science sources, it maintains a neutral to formal register. To avoid overuse in casual settings, consider simpler alternatives. When writing, ensure clarity and finality by stating with precision that the options are no longer being considered. The abundance of examples and consistent usage across authoritative sources underscore its reliability and effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been excluded

Replaces "ruled out" with a more direct synonym, indicating a formal exclusion.

have been eliminated

Implies a complete removal, often in a systematic or procedural context.

have been rejected

Emphasizes a formal refusal or denial.

have been dismissed

Suggests the rejection of an idea or possibility after consideration.

are out of the question

Emphasizes that something is completely unacceptable or impossible.

are off the table

An idiomatic expression indicating that something is no longer an option.

have been disregarded

Highlights that something has been intentionally ignored or overlooked.

have been precluded

Suggests that something has been prevented or made impossible.

are not being considered

Shifts the focus to the present state of consideration, emphasizing that something is not currently under review.

are not viable

Indicates that something is not practical or feasible.

FAQs

How can I use "have been ruled out" in a sentence?

You can use "have been ruled out" to indicate that certain possibilities or options are no longer being considered. For example, "All potential causes of the malfunction "have been ruled out" through rigorous testing."

What can I say instead of "have been ruled out"?

You can use alternatives like "have been excluded", "have been dismissed", or "are off the table" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "have been ruled out"?

It is appropriate to use "have been ruled out" in both formal and informal contexts where you want to clearly communicate that certain options are no longer under consideration. However, simpler alternatives might be preferred in very casual settings.

Is "have been ruled out" the same as "have been excluded"?

While similar, "have been ruled out" often implies a process of elimination or consideration, whereas "have been excluded" may simply indicate that something was never considered in the first place. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.