negate each other

USAGE SUMMARY

"negate each other" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to describe a situation where two things cancel each other out or have opposite effects. Example: The two laws negate each other, causing confusion and inconsistency in the legal system.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

We negate each other.

The Guardian - Opinion

The political effect, however, is that the measures negate each other.

The New York Times

"The dot-coms could negate each other and have a hard time cutting through," said Robert Lachky, vice president for brand management at Anheuser-Busch in St . Louis the only beer advertiser during the game.

The New York Times

"To postulate the ineradicability of antagonism, while affirming at the same time the possibility of democratic pluralism, one has to argue contra Schmitt that those two assertions do not negate each other," writes Mouffe, in an argument for PR that is bound to have Lib Dems cheering next week.

The Guardian

While the nomination excited activists in both parties, pollsters say those forces largely negate each other, and some data suggests voters are less engaged about Kavanaugh than they were about the nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch, Trump's first Supreme Court pick.

The Washington Post

"The ability to run the ball at critical times — red zone, four minutes, third down and medium to short — is vital in tight games, like playoffs, because turnovers and big plays usually negate each other with the good teams that are playing in the postseason.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The fear is that such moves to devalue currencies can spread fast as nations try and negate each others' advantage.

BBC

The play began behind the net when Devils defensemen Scott Stevens and Brian Rafalski negated each other in pursuit.

The New York Times - Sports

Now, instead of the texts affirming or negating each other, students produced sophisticated scenes of relation between given authors.

University of California, Berkeley

The result, predictably, was a turgid hero-fest, like two supernovae negating each other into a black hole (can this happen? I'll check with a child genius next week), coming politely no closer to urgent answers than the repetitive yesses of any nodding car-dog.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We should not only cheer for our common ground, but also learn from each other's merits and experiences, rather than negating each other.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "negate each other", ensure that the subjects involved are clearly defined and that the context makes it clear how they are canceling each other out. This improves clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "negate each other" when the actions are not truly reciprocal. If one entity is negating the other but not vice-versa, use a different phrasing to accurately reflect the relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "negate each other" functions as a reciprocal verb phrase, indicating that two or more entities perform an action that cancels out or reverses the effect of the other. As confirmed by Ludwig, the structure is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "negate each other" is a grammatically sound and relatively frequent phrase used to describe mutual cancellation or neutralization. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral to formal register. When using "negate each other", clarify that the actions are indeed reciprocal to avoid misunderstanding. Alternatives like "cancel each other out" and "counteract each other" offer nuanced variations for different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cancel each other out

This alternative emphasizes the resultant cancellation or balancing effect.

counteract each other

This alternative focuses on the opposing actions and balancing forces.

nullify each other

Implies a legal or formal invalidation performed by each element on another.

offset each other

This alternative suggests that two things balance or compensate for the effect of the other.

invalidate each other

Highlights the act of making something without legal value reciprocally.

neutralize each other

Focuses on the idea of rendering each other ineffective or harmless.

contradict each other

Describes a situation where two statements or ideas are in direct opposition.

oppose each other

Emphasizes the conflicting nature of two entities or ideas.

undo each other

Focuses on the reverse action of undoing or negating the effects.

reverse each other

Highlights the aspect of inverting or changing the direction reciprocally.

FAQs

How can I use "negate each other" in a sentence?

Use "negate each other" when two or more elements counteract or cancel each other's effects. For example, "The positive and negative charges "negate each other", resulting in a neutral state."

What are some alternatives to "negate each other"?

Alternatives include "cancel each other out", "counteract each other", or "nullify each other". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "negate each other" in formal writing?

Yes, "negate each other" is appropriate in formal writing, particularly in scientific, legal, or technical contexts where precise language is essential. However, ensure the context aligns with the reciprocal nature of the action.

What's the difference between "negate each other" and "contradict each other"?

"Negate each other" implies a cancellation or balancing of effects, while "contradict each other" means to assert the opposite. They are related but have distinct meanings; you can "contradict each other" without negating any effect.