scratch that

USAGE SUMMARY

'scratch that' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express that the speaker or writer wants to cancel or disregard something they just said. For example: "I don't think we should start the project tomorrow. Scratch that, let's start it right away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wait, scratch that.

The New York Times

No, scratch that.

The New York Times

"It said: Scratch that.

The New York Times - Arts

Actually, scratch that.

The Washington Post

No, wait, scratch that.

The New York Times

(Scratch that: Mon Mothma).

The New Yorker

No. Scratch that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Well, scratch that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Yeah, scratch that.

The Guardian - Sport

Actually, scratch that: it's mostly weird.

The Guardian - Tech

(Scratch that: 7-0 in the second half is pretty safe).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scratch that" in written communication, ensure the context is appropriate for a casual expression. Avoid it in formal documents.

Common error

Avoid using "scratch that" in professional or academic writing. It's generally too informal for these contexts; opt for more formal alternatives like "I retract that statement" or "Let me rephrase that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scratch that" functions as an interjection or discourse marker. It signals an immediate retraction or cancellation of a previously stated idea, indicating a change of mind or correction. As Ludwig AI states, it's a way to disregard a previous statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scratch that" is an idiomatic phrase used to retract or correct a statement immediately. Ludwig AI confirms it's a grammatically sound and usable expression, primarily functioning as an interjection in informal contexts. While widely used in news and media, it's best to avoid it in formal or academic writing, opting instead for alternatives like "I retract that statement" or "let me rephrase that". Remember to reserve "scratch that" for casual conversations and informal writing to maintain the appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forget I said that

Suggests the previous statement should not be considered.

I take it back

A more emphatic version of "take that back".

take that back

Directly expresses the act of retracting what was said.

never mind

A casual way of indicating that the previous statement is no longer relevant or should be disregarded.

disregard what I just said

A polite way to indicate a retraction.

ignore my last statement

A more formal way to retract a previous statement.

that's not right

Acknowledges that the previous statement was incorrect.

let me rephrase that

Indicates a need to clarify or correct the previous wording.

I misspoke

Admits to making an incorrect statement, often unintentionally.

strike that from the record

A more formal and emphatic way to retract a statement, often used in official settings.

FAQs

How can I use "scratch that" in a sentence?

"Scratch that" is typically used to retract or correct a previous statement. For example, you might say, "I'm going to order pizza. Scratch that, I'll have a salad instead."

What's a more formal way to say "scratch that"?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "I retract that statement", "let me rephrase that", or "please disregard my previous comment".

Is it appropriate to use "scratch that" in academic writing?

No, "scratch that" is too informal for academic writing. It's better suited for casual conversation or informal writing.

What's the difference between "scratch that" and "never mind"?

"Scratch that" directly retracts something you've just said, while "never mind" indicates that the previous statement is no longer important or relevant. "Scratch that" is a direct correction, whereas "never mind" suggests the topic can be dropped.