1
Core action
Eliminate a possibility, explanation, or candidate as impossible, irrelevant, or unsupported.
Example
Control tests rule out contamination as the source of the signal.
rule out
/ruːl aʊt/ · rool OWTelimination phrase
Eliminate a possibility, explanation, or candidate as impossible, irrelevant, or unsupported.
Use rule out to express this relationship precisely: eliminate a possibility, explanation, or candidate as impossible, irrelevant, or unsupported.
What rule out Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
The evidence does not rule out an alternative explanation.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
The inscription rules out the earlier date.
Use rule out Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Control tests rule out contamination as the source of the signal.
The evidence does not rule out an alternative explanation.
The inscription rules out the earlier date.
Precision Matters
Rule out overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
rule out
vs.Means eliminate a possibility, explanation, or candidate as impossible, irrelevant, or unsupported.
preclude
Means to prevent something from happening or make it impossible.
rule out
vs.Means eliminate a possibility, explanation, or candidate as impossible, irrelevant, or unsupported.
refute
Means to prove that a claim is false.
rule out
vs.Means eliminate a possibility, explanation, or candidate as impossible, irrelevant, or unsupported.
call into question
Means raise doubts about the truth, reliability, or validity of something.
rule out
vs.Means eliminate a possibility, explanation, or candidate as impossible, irrelevant, or unsupported.
undermine
Means to weaken, erode, or reduce confidence in something.
Test rule out in Context
The evidence is insufficient to eliminate that possible explanation.
1
Because the control sample produced the same anomaly, researchers cannot yet ___ equipment failure.