is ruled out

USAGE SUMMARY

"is ruled out" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means that something has been eliminated or excluded as a possibility. Example: After conducting extensive research, it was determined that genetics cannot be the sole cause of the disease, and other factors must be considered. Therefore, the possibility of genetics as the sole cause is ruled out.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"No option, is ruled out".

The New York Times

The idea of suicide is ruled out forever.

The New Yorker

Good-faith, intelligent disagreement is ruled out from the beginning.

The New York Times - Books

"At this point nothing is ruled out," he said.

The New York Times

If he is ruled out or bowls poorly, England's main competitive advantage disappears.

The New York Times - Sports

This possibility is ruled out by Lemma 2.7.

Boundary Value Problems

The wage equation is ruled out in the latter version.

Journal of Economic Structures

"No one is ruled out or pencilled in.

BBC

It's all in the mix, nothing is ruled out".

BBC

Does this mean that law is ruled out?

SEP

Finally, propane activation via redox-mechanism and adsorbed oxygen is ruled out for B2O3/Al2O3 catalysts.

Catalysis Today

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is ruled out" when you want to clearly indicate that a possibility or option has been eliminated from consideration due to evidence, reasoning, or decision-making.

Common error

While "is ruled out" is grammatically correct, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "not possible" or "out of the question" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is ruled out" functions as a passive construction indicating the elimination or exclusion of a possibility. This usage is consistent across various contexts, as evidenced by Ludwig, which confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is ruled out" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies the elimination or exclusion of a possibility. According to Ludwig, its meaning is clear: something is no longer considered viable. The phrase appears predominantly in scientific and news contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When writing, use "is ruled out" to clearly convey that an option has been dismissed based on evidence or reasoning. Be mindful of the formality and choose simpler alternatives for casual conversation. Overall, "is ruled out" is a valuable tool for expressing certainty in both written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is excluded

A direct synonym, highlighting the act of being left out or prevented from inclusion.

is eliminated

Similar to "is excluded", but often implies a more active process of removal.

is precluded

Implies that something is prevented from happening or being possible.

is not an option

Emphasizes the unavailability or unsuitability of something as a choice.

is dismissed

Indicates that something has been disregarded or treated as unimportant.

is taken off the table

Suggests a more deliberate decision to remove something from consideration.

is not considered

Indicates a lack of consideration, a weaker exclusion than "is ruled out".

is not viable

Focuses on the impracticality or infeasibility of something.

is discarded

Suggests that something has been rejected or thrown away, either literally or figuratively.

is not feasible

Similar to "is not viable", emphasizing the lack of practicality.

FAQs

How can I use "is ruled out" in a sentence?

Use "is ruled out" to state that a possibility has been eliminated. For example, "Based on the evidence, that explanation "is ruled out"."

What's a less formal way to say "is ruled out"?

In informal settings, you could use phrases like "not possible", "out of the question", or "can't happen" instead of ""is ruled out"".

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

""is ruled out"" is appropriate in formal writing, reports, and discussions where you need to clearly state that something has been eliminated as a possibility. It indicates a firm decision based on available information.

Which is correct: "is ruled out" or "was ruled out"?

Both are correct, but the tense depends on the context. Use "is ruled out" for present situations and "was ruled out" for past situations. For example, "That option "is ruled out" now" versus "That option "was ruled out" yesterday".