mutually exclusive

USAGE SUMMARY

"mutually exclusive" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe two or more things which cannot both occur or be true at the same time; for example, “The two options presented to us were mutually exclusive – we could either attend the event or stay at home.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not mutually exclusive".

Independent

They're mutually exclusive".

The New York Times - Books

They're not mutually exclusive.

The New York Times

Most are mutually exclusive.

The Guardian

Are the two mutually exclusive?

The New York Times

The proposition is mutually exclusive.

Independent

"They are not mutually exclusive".

The Guardian

Some outcomes are mutually exclusive.

The Economist

"These aren't mutually exclusive groups".

The New York Times

They were not mutually exclusive.

The New York Times

Cloolus: They are mutually exclusive.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mutually exclusive", ensure that the context clearly defines the events or conditions being considered. For example, specify what options are "mutually exclusive" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

A common mistake is assuming that "mutually exclusive" options are also exhaustive. Ensure that all possibilities are covered if you intend to convey that the listed options are the only possibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mutually exclusive" functions as an adjective that modifies a noun (often "events", "options", "conditions"). Ludwig AI indicates that it adheres to standard grammatical rules, describing a relationship of incompatibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mutually exclusive" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe situations where two or more possibilities cannot occur at the same time. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, and Ludwig's examples highlight its presence in various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. When using "mutually exclusive", ensure you clearly specify the options or events you're referring to. Also, remember that "mutually exclusive" does not automatically mean the options are exhaustive; there might be other possibilities beyond the ones being considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mutually incompatible

Directly combines "mutually" with "incompatible" for emphasis.

exclusive of each other

Emphasizes the exclusion aspect of the relationship.

cannot coexist

Emphasizes the inability of two things to exist at the same time.

incompatible

Focuses on the inherent inability of two things to coexist harmoniously.

contradictory

Emphasizes the logical opposition between two statements or propositions.

irreconcilable

Highlights the impossibility of bringing two things into agreement or harmony.

antithetical

Stresses the direct opposition or contrast between two things.

one or the other

Focuses on the either/or nature of the choice.

distinct and separate

Highlights the clear division and lack of overlap between two entities.

alternative

Suggests a choice where selecting one option precludes the others.

FAQs

How to use "mutually exclusive" in a sentence?

You can use "mutually exclusive" to describe events or conditions that cannot occur or be true at the same time. For example, "The two options were "one or the other", making them mutually exclusive."

What can I say instead of "mutually exclusive"?

Alternatives to "mutually exclusive" include "incompatible", "contradictory", or "irreconcilable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "mutually exclusive" or "exclusively mutual"?

"Mutually exclusive" is the correct and commonly used phrase. "Exclusively mutual" is not a standard expression and is unlikely to be understood.

What's the difference between "mutually exclusive" and "mutually exhaustive"?

"Mutually exclusive" means that two or more events cannot happen simultaneously. "Mutually exhaustive" means that the listed events cover all possible outcomes. They are distinct concepts; events can be mutually exclusive without being mutually exhaustive, and vice versa.