strike through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strike through" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the action of drawing a line through text to indicate that it should be disregarded or is no longer relevant. Example: "Please strike through any outdated information in the document before submitting it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

G.M. and Chrysler workers gave up their right to strike through 2015 as part of those companies' 2009 bankruptcies.

The New York Times

" Bolded font code is < b > BOLD TEXT< /b > Italicized font code is < i >ITALICS TEXT< /i> Underlined font code is < u >UNDERLINED TEXT< /u> Strike Through font code is < s > STRIKE THROUGH TEXT< /s> HTML is not case sensitive.

WikiHow

has provoked a strike through its greed," Mr. Fire said.

The New York Times

There are very, very few pages here that you can strike through and say, "Job done".

The Guardian - Opinion

There seem to be clouds, a sun whose rays strike through a boiling mass of curlicues.

The Guardian - Arts

Capitalists answered workers' struggles with a kind of investment strike – through the intensification of labour rather than innovation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Or that corrections are demarcated by strike-through and updates with italicized capital letters?

The New Yorker

Occasionally, you would see a strike-through correcting some minuscule detail.

The New York Times - Magazine

This facility in writing, rewriting and overwriting is seemingly a breakthrough unique to the Internet Age, although the strike-through itself dates back to at least medieval manuscripts.

The New York Times

But it also offers more modern features, like letting users strike-through text, add images or audio and even search through a document's metadata to find its version history.

The New York Times

By now weary of motorways, I was pleased to find online a ride over the Pyrenees to Barcelona, bearing a little blue autoroute icon with a strike-through – meaning that it would mostly be on precipitous B-roads.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strike through" to indicate corrections, deletions, or items that are no longer relevant while still preserving the original text for context.

Common error

Avoid simply deleting text when "strike through" is more appropriate. "Strike through" retains the original content for reference, while deletion removes it entirely. Choose "strike through" when preserving context or showing revisions is important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strike through" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of drawing a line through text to mark it as deleted or invalid. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature, highlighting its common usage in editing and revision contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strike through" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate the deletion or invalidation of text while preserving its original form. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and wiki articles. It’s crucial to differentiate its usage from simply deleting text, as it serves the distinct purpose of showing revisions and maintaining context. When writing, utilize the appropriate formatting options to visually represent the "strike through" effect, and be mindful of its neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cross out

This alternative refers specifically to the act of drawing a line through text to delete it.

delete

This term is more general and implies removal, not necessarily with a line.

obliterate

This suggests a more thorough removal, possibly beyond just a line.

invalidate

This implies making something void or without effect.

cancel

This suggests voiding something, like an event or agreement.

pass through

This refers to physically moving through something.

penetrate

This indicates entering or piercing something.

go through

This implies experiencing or examining something.

burst through

This suggests a forceful breaking or movement through something.

break through

This means overcoming an obstacle or barrier.

FAQs

How can I use "strike through" in HTML?

To apply a strikethrough effect in HTML, enclose the text within the <s> tag. For example: <s>This text will be struck through</s>.

What's a good alternative to "strike through" when I want to completely remove text?

If you intend to remove the text entirely without leaving a trace, consider using the word "delete" or "remove" instead of "strike through".

Is there a difference between "strike through" and "cross out"?

While both phrases mean to draw a line through text, "cross out" often implies a more informal or manual action, whereas "strike through" is commonly used in digital contexts and word processing.

When is it appropriate to use "strike through" instead of simply deleting the text?

Use "strike through" when you want to show that something was initially included but has been removed or corrected, allowing readers to see the original content and understand the changes made. This is useful for editing, proofreading, or showing revisions.