What Does “Strike sth out” Mean?
“Strike sth out” means to draw a line through words or text to show they are incorrect or should be removed.
Introduction
The phrase “Strike sth out” is commonly used in writing and editing. When you strike something out, you draw a line through it to indicate it is wrong or no longer needed. This phrasal verb is useful in everyday life, especially when correcting mistakes on paper or digital documents. Understanding the Strike sth out meaning helps learners improve their writing skills and communicate edits clearly. It is also used in legal or official contexts to show text that should be disregarded.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Strike something out
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To draw a line through text to remove or cancel it
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Strike sth out” is a separable phrasal verb, which means you can place the object between the verb and the particle or after the particle.
- Strike something out (object after particle)
- Strike out something (object between verb and particle)
Both forms are correct, but “strike something out” is more common.
How to Use Strike sth out?
Use “strike sth out” when you want to indicate that a word, phrase, or sentence should be deleted or ignored. It is often used in editing documents, filling out forms, or making corrections. You can also use it metaphorically, like striking out an idea or plan.
Examples
When editing your essay, you might strike out unnecessary words.
- She struck out the wrong answer and wrote the correct one.
- The teacher asked him to strike out the spelling mistakes.
- They struck out the outdated information from the report.
- He struck out the entire paragraph because it was irrelevant.
- Remember to strike out any errors before submitting your form.
Strike sth out in a sentence helps show how to correct or remove text effectively.
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse the word order or the meaning of “strike sth out.”
- Incorrect: Strike out the word the.
- Correct: Strike the word out.
- Incorrect: Strike out something wrong.
- Correct: Strike out something wrong.
Also, avoid using “strike sth out” when you mean to delete files or erase data; instead, use “delete” or “erase.”
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “cross out” and “delete.”
- Strike out means drawing a line through text.
- Cross out is almost the same but more informal.
- Delete means removing text or data completely.
The key difference is “strike out” leaves the text visible but marked as incorrect, while “delete” removes it entirely.
Common Collocations
When using “strike sth out,” it often pairs with specific objects related to text or writing.
- Strike out a word – remove a single word
- Strike out a sentence – remove a full sentence
- Strike out a phrase – remove a group of words
- Strike out a paragraph – remove a whole paragraph
- Strike out errors – mark mistakes for correction
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of strike sth out:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation showing “strike sth out” in use:
Anna: I wrote the wrong date on the form.
Tom: No problem. Just strike it out and write the correct one next to it.
Anna: Thanks! That makes it easier to fix.
Practice
Try filling in the blanks with the correct form of “strike sth out.”
- Please _______ the incorrect number and write the right one.
- He _______ the whole sentence because it was confusing.
- Don’t forget to _______ any mistakes before submitting.
FAQ
- Q: Can you use “strike out” without an object?
A: Usually no. “Strike out” needs an object like words or text.
- Q: Is “strike sth out” formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal writing.
- Q: Can I say “strike out the mistake”?
A: Yes, that is correct and common.
- Q: What is the difference between “strike out” and “cross out”?
“Strike out” is more formal, while “cross out” is more casual but they mean the same.
- Q: Can “strike out” be used metaphorically?
Yes, it can mean rejecting or cancelling plans or ideas.
