without ruling out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without ruling out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing possibilities or options while indicating that certain alternatives are still being considered. Example: "We will explore various solutions, without ruling out the potential for collaboration with other teams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Without ruling out Thomas, Walsh said he was looking for "a real pro" in a coach.

The New York Times - Sports

European stocks rose as the euro zone finance ministers vowed on Monday to strengthen the safety net for struggling countries, examining ways to give the 750 billion euro ($1.2 trillion) rescue fund more flexibility without ruling out increasing its size.

The New York Times

The Kuomintang, which once waged a fierce civil war against the Communists on the mainland, now advocates maintaining the status quo between China and Taiwan without ruling out eventual reunification.

The New York Times

During the second stage, if Unmovic or the I.A.E.A. observe that Iraq is refusing to cooperate fully with inspectors, the Security Council will meet immediately to decide on the appropriate measures to take, without ruling out anything out of hand.

The New York Times

A procedure may be simply fair without ruling out the possibility of hard feelings.

SEP

A Snapchat spokesperson tells me the latter is the motivation (without ruling out the former), as Snapchat wants its camera to become the new cursor — your point of interface between the real and digital worlds.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The first trick to online dating is to narrow the search without inadvertently ruling out a perfect match.

The New York Times

"We can't fight with one hand tied behind our back," he said, without flatly ruling out the possibility of a change in approach.

The New York Times

These objectives were identified as the increase of agricultural productivity and the reliability of the characteristics of the seed, which were adequately pursued by the litigious measures, setting the grounds of an efficient market without completely ruling out the marketing of old varieties.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

This event resolved upon masitinib interruption and without specific medications, ruling out any anaphylactic or anaphylactic-like reaction.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Thus the individual welfare functions in any profile can be arbitrarily monotonically transformed ('stretched or squeezed') without informational loss, thereby ruling out any interpersonal comparisons or even intrapersonal unit comparisons.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without ruling out" to indicate that you are considering multiple options and haven't yet made a final decision. This conveys flexibility and thoroughness in your approach.

Common error

Avoid using "without ruling out" excessively in passive constructions. Instead of saying "The possibility is not being ruled out", try a more direct statement like "We are not ruling out the possibility" for a stronger, more active tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without ruling out" functions as a qualifying phrase, indicating that a particular option or possibility is still under consideration. Ludwig examples show this usage in various contexts, from political strategies to scientific research.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without ruling out" is a versatile expression used to convey that an option remains under consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in both news and scientific contexts. To enhance your writing, consider using alternatives like "not excluding" or "leaving open the possibility" for nuanced meaning. Be mindful of passive voice to maintain a clear and active writing style. Mastering this phrase can improve your ability to communicate flexibility and open-mindedness effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not excluding

Focuses on inclusion rather than explicitly considering and then not rejecting.

not dismissing

Focuses on not rejecting an idea, rather than actively considering it.

not eliminating

Highlights the act of not removing an option from consideration.

not precluding

More formal, implying prevention rather than simple consideration.

not counting out

More informal, indicating that something is still in contention.

leaving open the possibility

Emphasizes the potential for something to still occur.

considering as a possibility

Directly states that something is being thought about as a potential option.

remaining open to

Implies a willingness to consider something if the circumstances are right.

keeping on the table

Suggests an option is still under active consideration.

entertaining the idea of

Suggests a more open-minded consideration of something.

FAQs

What does "without ruling out" mean?

The phrase "without ruling out" means not excluding something as a possibility. It suggests that something is still being considered, even if other options are more likely or preferred.

How can I use "without ruling out" in a sentence?

You can use "without ruling out" to indicate that you are open to a range of options. For example, "The company is exploring various strategies, "without ruling out" a potential merger".

What are some alternatives to "without ruling out"?

Alternatives to "without ruling out" include "not excluding", "not dismissing", or "leaving open the possibility". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "without flatly ruling out"?

Yes, "without flatly ruling out" is a correct and more emphatic way of saying that something is not being completely dismissed. It suggests that while unlikely, the possibility still exists.