What Does “Strike sth off sth” Mean?
“Strike sth off sth” means to remove or delete something from a list, record, or document.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “Strike sth off sth” is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. It refers to the action of crossing out or deleting an item from a list, register, or any written record. Understanding the Strike sth off sth meaning helps learners use it accurately when talking about removing entries or correcting mistakes. This phrase is useful in everyday conversations, business communication, and writing, making it a valuable addition to your English vocabulary.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Strike something off something
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To remove or delete something from a list or record
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Strike sth off sth” is a separable phrasal verb, meaning you can place the object between the verb and the particle, or after the particle.
- Strike the name off the list.
- Strike off the name from the list.
Note that “off” usually follows the object when the second object is a list or record.
How to Use Strike sth off sth?
Use “Strike sth off sth” whenever you want to say that something is removed from a list or record. This can be because the item is incorrect, no longer valid, or needs to be excluded. It is often used in contexts like editing documents, managing registers, or making corrections.
Examples
Look at these sentences to see “Strike sth off sth” in a sentence:
- The teacher struck off the incorrect answers from the student’s paper.
- We need to strike off outdated contacts from the email list.
- The company struck off several names from the membership register.
- He asked the clerk to strike off his name from the waiting list.
- After the audit, they struck off all invalid entries from the report.
Common Mistakes
People often confuse the word order or misuse the phrase. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: Strike off the list the name.
- Correct: Strike the name off the list.
- Incorrect: Strike off from the list the name.
- Correct: Strike the name off the list.
Remember, the object being removed should come directly after “strike” or after “off.”
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “cross out,” “delete,” and “remove.”
- Cross out: Usually means to draw a line through something written.
- Delete: More general, often used in digital contexts.
- Remove: Broader meaning, can refer to physical or abstract removal.
“Strike sth off sth” specifically suggests removing an item from a list or record, often by crossing it out.
Common Collocations
This phrasal verb frequently pairs with items related to lists, records, or documents. Here are some common collocations:
- Strike a name off a list – remove a person’s name
- Strike an item off a checklist – delete a task
- Strike off a company from the register – remove a company officially
- Strike off incorrect entries from a report – delete mistakes
- Strike off a phone number from contacts – remove a number
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of strike sth off sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using the phrasal verb:
Sarah: Can you strike off my name from the guest list? I won’t be able to attend.
Tom: Sure, I’ll do that right now. Anything else to remove?
Sarah: No, just my name. Thanks!
Practice
Try to complete the sentence below with the correct form of the phrasal verb:
They decided to __________ the outdated information __________ the report.
- a) strike off
- b) strike on
- c) strike out
- d) strike through
FAQ
- Q: Is “Strike sth off sth” formal or informal?
- A: It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
- Q: Can I use “strike off” without a second object?
- A: Usually, you need to mention what you are striking off from something.
- Q: What is the difference between “strike off” and “cross out”?
- A: “Strike off” means to remove from a list; “cross out” means to draw a line through text.
- Q: Can I say “strike off the name from the list”?
- A: The correct order is “strike the name off the list.”
- Q: Is “strike sth off sth” separable?
- A: Yes, you can separate the object from the phrasal verb.
