What Does โStrike sth throughโ Mean?
โStrike sth throughโ means to draw a line through a word or sentence to show it is incorrect or no longer relevant.
Introduction
The phrasal verb strike sth through is commonly used in writing and editing. It refers to putting a line through text to indicate deletion, correction, or cancellation. This action helps readers understand that the crossed-out content should be ignored or replaced. The strike sth through meaning is simple but essential, especially when editing documents or making quick corrections. It is often seen in handwritten notes, printed materials, and digital text editors. Understanding how to use this phrase correctly will help you communicate clearly in both formal and informal contexts.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: strike something through
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1
- Short meaning: to draw a line through text to show it is wrong or deleted
Structure (Grammar Rules)
The phrasal verb strike sth through is transitive, meaning it requires a direct object (something to strike through).
- It is separable. You can say:
- strike something through
- strike through something
- Examples of correct patterns:
- Strike the word through.
- Strike through the incorrect answer.
How to Use Strike sth through?
Use this phrasal verb when you want to show that a word, sentence, or number is no longer valid or should be ignored. It is common in editing, note-taking, and correcting mistakes. You can use it in both spoken and written English, especially when describing what you have done or want someone to do.
For example, in a letter, if you change your mind about a word, you might say, โPlease strike that word through and write the correct one.โ
Examples
Here are some practical examples to understand strike sth through in a sentence:
- She struck through the wrong date on the form and wrote the correct one above it.
- When editing the essay, I struck through all unnecessary words to make it clearer.
- The teacher asked him to strike through the incorrect answers on the test.
- He struck through the old price and wrote the new one next to it.
- If you want to change your order, just strike through the items you donโt want.
Common Mistakes
People sometimes use this phrase incorrectly by omitting the object or mixing the word order.
- Incorrect: Strike through.
- Correct: Strike through the mistake.
- Incorrect: Strike the through word.
- Correct: Strike the word through.
Always remember to include the object (the text you want to strike through) and place it correctly.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include cross out and delete.
- Strike through specifically means drawing a line through text.
- Cross out also means to draw a line through, but itโs more informal.
- Delete means to remove text digitally or erase it completely.
Use strike through when you want to emphasize that the text is visibly crossed out but still readable.
Common Collocations
When using strike sth through, certain objects are commonly used:
- Word: a single unit of text
- Sentence: a complete thought or statement
- Line: a row of words
- Number: digits in text
- Answer: a reply or solution, especially in tests
These collocations help you use the phrase naturally in different contexts.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of strike sth through:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using strike sth through naturally:
Anna: I wrote the wrong date on the invitation.
Ben: No problem. Just strike the date through and write the correct one next to it.
Anna: Good idea! That way, everyone will see the change clearly.
Practice
Try to complete the sentence with the correct form:
- Before submitting your report, make sure to _________ any incorrect information.
- She _________ the wrong price through and wrote the new one.
Answers:
- strike through
- struck through
FAQ
- What does โstrike sth throughโ mean? It means to draw a line through text to show it is wrong or deleted.
- Is โstrike throughโ separable? Yes, you can say โstrike the word throughโ or โstrike through the word.โ
- Can I use โstrike sth throughโ in spoken English? Yes, it is common when describing editing or correcting text.
- What is the difference between โstrike throughโ and โcross outโ? Both mean to draw a line through text, but โcross outโ is more informal.
- Can I use โstrike sth throughโ for digital text? Yes, it is often used to describe formatting changes like strikethrough in word processors.
