ruled out

USAGE SUMMARY

"ruled out" is a phrase commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been officially rejected or barred from consideration. For example: "The possibility of going on vacation was ruled out due to the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That ruled out drama.

The New York Times - Magazine

Police ruled out suicide.

Independent

It's not ruled out".

The New York Times

They have ruled out disarmament.

The Economist

Gordon ruled out mass retardation.

The New Yorker

Bonds's lawyers ruled out September.

The New York Times

Rape has been ruled out".

Independent

Eduardo is already ruled out".

Independent

Both were ruled out Friday.

The New York Times - Sports

He ruled out murder.

The Guardian

Mr. Patrick ruled out appointing himself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ruled out" when you want to clearly state that a possibility or option has been definitively rejected. It conveys a sense of finality and can help to narrow down potential solutions or explanations.

Common error

Avoid using "rule out" when you mean to say something is unlikely but not impossible. "Ruled out" implies certainty, so using it inappropriately can mislead your reader. If there's still a chance, however small, consider using phrases like "unlikely" or "improbable" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ruled out" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically in the past participle form. It's used to indicate that something has been eliminated as a possibility or option. Ludwig AI provides examples showing its use in contexts where decisions or conclusions are made.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

22%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ruled out" is a phrasal verb commonly used to express the elimination of a possibility or option. Ludwig AI data indicates it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, science, and general contexts. When writing, it's important to use "ruled out" to convey certainty rather than mere improbability. Alternative phrases such as "excluded" or "eliminated" can be used, depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Excluded

Direct synonym indicating something has been left out or not considered.

Eliminated

Implies a more active removal from consideration.

Dismissed

Suggests a quick or peremptory rejection.

Discounted

Indicates a reduction in importance or likelihood.

Rejected

Formal term for refusing to accept something.

Precluded

Suggests something is prevented from happening or being considered.

Deemed impossible

Indicates that something is considered unachievable.

Considered unviable

Suggests something is not practical or likely to succeed.

Taken off the table

Idiomatic phrase indicating that something is no longer being considered.

Written off

Implies that something is no longer worth considering or pursuing.

FAQs

How to use "ruled out" in a sentence?

You can use "ruled out" to indicate that a possibility has been eliminated. For example: "The police "ruled out suicide" in the investigation."

What can I say instead of "ruled out"?

Alternatives to "ruled out" include "eliminated", "excluded", or "dismissed", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "ruled out" or "ruled in"?

"Ruled out" means something is no longer a possibility, while the opposite, "ruled in," means something is now considered a possibility or is included. For example: "While investigators "ruled out arson", they haven't yet ruled in any other cause."

What's the difference between "ruled out" and "dismissed"?

"Ruled out" typically implies a more formal or definitive rejection after consideration. "Dismissed" suggests a quicker rejection, perhaps because it's seen as not worth serious consideration. For example: "The committee "dismissed" the proposal without extensive debate, but the CEO "ruled out" any layoffs after careful review."