mutually exclusive with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mutually exclusive with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to indicate that two things cannot coexist or occur simultaneously. For example, "The two ideas of free-market capitalism and state socialism are mutually exclusive with one another."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Independence sounds good in theory, but in practice, it is mutually exclusive with accountability.

The Washington Post

PIK3CA mutations are mutually exclusive with PTEN loss in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Nature

However, negative duties under Article 14 are not mutually exclusive with positive obligations.

Columbia University

MYC alterations were mutually exclusive with PIK3CA, PTEN, APC, or BRAF alterations, suggesting that MYC is a distinct oncogenic driver.

Cell Systems

He added that enforcement is not mutually exclusive with his parallel effort to accelerate the process for approving new projects.

The Washington Post

Previous reports had described Scalise's condition as stable, which, it should be noted, is not mutually exclusive with "critical".

The Guardian

Hallmark SHH focal copy number aberrations and chromosome 10q deletion were mutually exclusive with TERT mutations within SHH tumors.

Duke University

They demonstrated that being pro-business is not mutually exclusive with being pro-community.

Los Angeles Times

An education and a moral compass are not mutually exclusive with a vote for Trump.

Huffington Post

Neither category is mutually exclusive, with many works doing double-duty by fitting into both — and others.

Los Angeles Times

Or, perhaps, Ditto, where "users are mutually exclusive with one match on the app, until one of them un-matches"?

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mutually exclusive with", ensure that the relationship you're describing is genuinely one where the presence of one element fundamentally prevents the presence of the other. Avoid using it loosely to simply mean 'different'.

Common error

Avoid using "mutually exclusive with" when the categories can, in some circumstances, overlap or influence each other. Ensure that the relationship is truly one of absolute exclusion to maintain clarity and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mutually exclusive with" functions as a descriptive term, specifying a relationship where two entities or conditions cannot coexist or occur simultaneously. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mutually exclusive with" is a frequently used and grammatically correct phrase that indicates incompatibility between two or more entities. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across various domains, predominantly in scientific, news, and academic contexts. While alternatives like "incompatible with" and "distinct from" exist, it's crucial to ensure that the chosen phrase accurately reflects the nature of the relationship being described. Overusing it in situations where overlap is possible should be avoided. Therefore, understanding its proper context is key to clear and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exclusive of

Directly implies that something is not included or allowed.

mutually contradictory

Highlights that two things assert opposing or conflicting ideas.

incompatible with

Indicates that two things cannot exist or function together harmoniously.

cannot coexist with

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

not compatible with

Similar to "incompatible with", but can sometimes suggest a lesser degree of conflict.

distinct from

Highlights the separateness or difference between two entities.

irreconcilable with

Suggests that two things cannot be brought into agreement or harmony.

precludes

Suggests that one thing makes another impossible.

rules out

Implies that one possibility eliminates another.

antithetical to

Indicates a direct opposition or contrast between two things.

FAQs

How do I use "mutually exclusive with" in a sentence?

Use "mutually exclusive with" to indicate that two or more things cannot occur or exist at the same time. For example, "These two options are "mutually exclusive with" each other."

What can I say instead of "mutually exclusive with"?

You can use alternatives like "incompatible with", "distinct from", or "cannot coexist with" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "mutually exclusive from" instead of "mutually exclusive with"?

While "mutually exclusive" can be used alone, the correct preposition to use is "with". Saying "mutually exclusive from" is less common and can sound awkward to native English speakers.

What's the difference between "mutually exclusive with" and "mutually inclusive"?

"Mutually exclusive with" means that two things cannot occur together, while "mutually inclusive" means that the occurrence of one implies the occurrence of the other. They are opposite concepts.