neutralize each other

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "neutralize each other" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where two or more forces, effects, or influences counteract or cancel each other out. Example: "The opposing teams were so evenly matched that their strengths seemed to neutralize each other throughout the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Instead, these goals neutralize each other.

The New York Times - Arts

Players of similar or the same characteristics – Lulic and Sejad Salihovic, Pjanic and Misimovic and Dzeko and Ibisevic often neutralize each other or end up completely lost.

The Guardian - Sport

Moss and Sehorn, probably the most gifted athletes on the field today, may neutralize each other, but Carter figures to find open seams in the rest of the Giants' secondary.

The New York Times - Sports

Without such a force the atoms would be disordered by thermal agitation, the moments of neighbouring atoms would neutralize each other, and the large magnetic moment characteristic of ferromagnetic materials would not exist.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was the old limited-war issue: If they do a strike, what could we do to get them to neutralize each other?" Former Ambassador Oakley, in his interview with me, depicted the intelligence analysts in Washington as being overwrought about the imminence of war and a nuclear exchange.

The New Yorker

The latter effect can be explained by the positive and negative aspects of telecommuting that may neutralize each other.

Business Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

The induced K-RTA and EBV-Z would neutralize each others' function through physical interactions.

Plosone

Bright bands appeared where two crests overlapped, reinforcing each other; dark bands marked where a crest lined up with a trough, neutralizing each other.

The New York Times - Science

The pragmatists' final, between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich, is now scheduled to close out the European soccer season in Madrid on May 22. Lovers of the Beautiful Game may need to look somewhere else on that Saturday when two teams intent on neutralizing each other play the Champions League final in the Bernabéu.

The New York Times - Sports

Apparently, it seems undershooting and unused portion allocation mechanisms neutralizes each other and have no significant impact on the scheduling.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The nude mice used in the study lack functional T cells, but possess normal B cells, NK cells, macrophages etc. Innate immunity is important for clearance of adenovirus and therefore it is possible that the effects of the drug on virus and on the remaining immune system neutralized each other, thus showing no significant differences.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "neutralize each other", ensure that the subjects involved are indeed capable of counteracting each other's effects, either physically or figuratively. If not, consider alternatives like "influence each other" or "affect each other".

Common error

Avoid using "neutralize each other" when the actions or entities being described do not directly counteract one another. For instance, stating "two different opinions neutralize each other" might be misleading if the opinions simply coexist without diminishing each other's impact. Consider using "differ from each other" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "neutralize each other" is to describe a reciprocal action where two or more entities counteract each other's effects, resulting in a diminished or nullified outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

28%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "neutralize each other" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the reciprocal cancellation of effects between two or more entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in written English. It appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the entities involved are truly capable of counteracting each other. Related phrases include "counteract one another" and "offset one another". Avoid misattributing the ability to neutralize if the actions or entities do not directly oppose each other.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

counteract one another

Replaces "neutralize" with "counteract", focusing on opposing actions.

offset one another

Uses "offset" to imply a balancing or compensating effect.

cancel each other out

Adds "out" for emphasis, suggesting complete cancellation.

nullify one another

Replaces "neutralize" with "nullify", implying invalidation.

negate each other

Emphasizes the act of making something ineffective or untrue.

invalidate one another

Highlights the act of making something without legal force

counterbalance one another

Suggests a balancing of forces or influences.

equalize each other

Focuses on reaching a state of equality through opposing actions.

countervail each other

A more formal term suggesting equal power to offset something.

undo each other

Highlights the act of reversing what other has done

FAQs

What does "neutralize each other" mean?

The phrase "neutralize each other" means that two or more forces, effects, or influences counteract or cancel each other out, resulting in a diminished or nullified overall effect.

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

You can use "neutralize each other" to describe situations where opposing forces or actions negate each other's effects. For example, "The positive and negative aspects of the policy seemed to "offset one another"".

What are some alternatives to "neutralize each other"?

Some alternatives to "neutralize each other" include "counteract one another", "offset one another", or "cancel each other out", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "neutralize each other" formal or informal?

"Neutralize each other" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more commonly found in analytical or scientific writing. The level of formality depends on the surrounding vocabulary and tone.