were cancelled out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were cancelled out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where two or more factors negate each other or result in a total effect of zero. Example: "The positive and negative charges in the circuit were cancelled out, resulting in no net electrical flow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The Blues also had Shakhtar goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov to thank for gifting goals to Fernando Torres and Oscar, both of which were cancelled out by Willian.

Independent

Dustin Martin opened Richmond's account in the final term before goals to Brisbane's James Aish and Josh Green were cancelled out by Gordon and Kamdyn McIntosh's second goals.

The Guardian - Sport

Any gains the Tories made in the north last week – notably in Morley and Outwood when Andrea Jenkyns booted out Ed Balls – were cancelled out by their losses.

The Guardian

Santos were stunned by the hosts as their two road goals were cancelled out in the last half hour by a four goal barrage from the home team.

The Guardian - Sport

First-half goals from Graeme Shinnie and Nick Ross were cancelled out by strikes from Nathan Eccleston and Craig Slater, but Inverness restored their lead seven minutes into the second half, thanks to Danny Williams's spectacular finish.

The Guardian - Sport

For the second match in a row City ceded a two-goal lead, after strikes from Yaya Touré and Stevan Jovetic were cancelled out by Jack Rodwell and Adam Johnson later in the second half before Lampard's winner.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But those expenses were canceled out by decreased fuel costs, it said.

The New York Times

Note that the main effects of strain and drug were canceled out in the aforementioned equation.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

This suggests that some of the main effects and their interactions were canceled out during the discovery and improvement phases.

BMC Genomics

This in turn was cancelled out by the next entry.

The New Yorker

The sentence was cancelled out by the time he had already served.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the cancellation of effects or actions, consider whether a more specific term like "offset", "negated", or "neutralized" might provide greater clarity or precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "were cancelled out" when the opposing forces don't completely negate each other. If there's still a residual effect, a phrase like "were partially offset" or "were mitigated" would be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were cancelled out" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject experienced the action of being nullified or negated. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatical and describes a state where opposing forces result in a net-zero effect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

40%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were cancelled out" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive verb phrase that signifies neutralization or offsetting of effects. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science, where precise descriptions of cause and effect are important. When writing, remember to ensure complete negation and consider synonyms like "were offset" or "were negated" for more precise language. Avoid using the phrase when the opposing forces don't completely eliminate each other's effect. Remember the most frequent sources where this expression appears are The Guardian and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were nullified

Emphasizes the act of making something legally void or ineffective.

were negated

Highlights the reversal or contradiction of an effect or statement.

were offset

Focuses on counterbalancing one effect with another.

were counteracted

Stresses action taken to reduce or neutralize a force or effect.

were balanced out

Implies achieving equilibrium by opposing forces.

were neutralized

Suggests rendering something harmless or ineffective.

were invalidated

Highlights the act of making something without legal force.

were reversed

Focuses on inverting the direction or effect of something.

were undone

Suggests reversing a previous action or its consequences.

were wiped out

Implies the complete removal or destruction of something, in the sense of negating its effect.

FAQs

How can I use "were cancelled out" in a sentence?

You can use "were cancelled out" to describe situations where opposing forces negate each other, resulting in no net effect. For example, "The gains from increased productivity "were cancelled out" by rising inflation."

What can I say instead of "were cancelled out"?

Alternatives include "were negated", "were offset", or "were neutralized", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was cancelled out" instead of "were cancelled out"?

No, "was cancelled out" should be used with a singular subject, while "were cancelled out" is appropriate for plural subjects. For example, "The debt was cancelled out by the asset," but "The debts were cancelled out by the assets."

What's the difference between "were cancelled out" and "were reversed"?

"Were cancelled out" implies a neutralization of effects, while "were reversed" suggests a change back to a previous state. "The effects of the policy "were cancelled out" by a new regulation," versus "The policy decisions "were reversed"."