rule out
B2Formal and informal; widely used in spoken and written contexts, especially medical, investigative, academic, and planning domains.
Definition
Meaning
to exclude something as a possibility; to decide that something is not possible or suitable.
To eliminate from consideration; to prevent from happening; to make something impossible.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a transitive phrasal verb. Implies a deliberate act of exclusion based on evidence, criteria, or conditions. Often used in diagnostic or deductive reasoning.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Minor potential differences in typical collocates based on regional sports or institutional jargon.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. Carries a connotation of systematic decision-making.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] rule out [Object][Subject] rule out [Verb-ing][Subject] rule out that [Clause]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “'Rule it in or rule it out' (common diagnostic phrase).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The board ruled out a merger for the foreseeable future."
Academic
"The study's methodology ruled out confounding variables."
Everyday
"The sunny weather rules out the need for a coat."
Technical
"The scan ruled out a structural abnormality."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The GP ruled out measles after reviewing the tests.
- We can't rule out further train strikes this winter.
American English
- The detective ruled out robbery as a motive.
- Bad weather ruled out a picnic.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I rule out chocolate because I am allergic.
- The teacher ruled out cheating because everyone had different answers.
- The committee ruled out several proposals due to budget constraints.
- Whilst the initial hypothesis is appealing, the latest data effectively rules it out.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a judge using a gavel (ruling) to point someone OUT of the courtroom, excluding them.
Conceptual Metaphor
POSSIBILITIES ARE OBJECTS ON A TABLE; TO RULE OUT IS TO REMOVE ONE FROM THE TABLE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'править вне'. The correct conceptual translation is 'исключать' or 'отводить'.
- Do not confuse with 'rule over' (управлять).
- The particle 'out' is essential for the meaning of exclusion.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *'They ruled out to invest.' Correct: 'They ruled out investing.' or 'They ruled out investment.'
- Incorrect preposition: *'rule out of'. The phrasal verb is directly transitive.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'rule out' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is separable. You can say 'rule the possibility out', though 'rule out the possibility' is more common.
Not typically. It is inherently about exclusion or negation. A positive counterpart would be 'confirm' or 'rule in'.
They are very close synonyms. 'Rule out' often implies a process of consideration leading to exclusion, especially of possibilities, while 'exclude' can be more general.
Yes, though slightly formal. E.g., 'We cannot rule out that he was mistaken.' A more common pattern is 'rule out the possibility that...'.