Understanding the English Phrasal Verb 'Cross Out': Meaning and Usage

Phrasal verbs are a cornerstone of fluent English, and mastering them can significantly enhance your communication skills. One such useful phrasal verb is cross out. If you've ever needed to strike through text or remove an item from a list, you've likely encountered or needed to use cross out. This versatile verb is common in both written and spoken English, making it essential for learners to understand. This blog post will delve into the meaning, structure, and various applications of cross out, helping you use it confidently and correctly. We'll explore its different nuances, provide clear examples, look at synonyms, and test your understanding with some practice questions.

Table of Contents

• What Does 'Cross Out' Mean?
• Structure with 'Cross Out'
• Related Phrases and Synonyms
• Practice Time!
• Conclusion

What Does 'Cross Out' Mean?

The phrasal verb cross out primarily means to draw a line or lines through something written or printed, typically to show that it is a mistake, no longer valid, or to be disregarded. It's a visual way of indicating deletion or correction. Think of it as the action you take when you want to remove writing without completely erasing it, leaving the original still visible but clearly marked for omission. Understanding how to use cross out is particularly important for tasks like editing, proofreading, or managing to-do lists.

For English learners, grasping cross out is beneficial because it's a common action in everyday life, from correcting notes to revising drafts. It’s a practical part of learning English phrasal verbs that directly applies to real-world situations. The simplicity of its core meaning makes it accessible, yet its usage in different contexts can add layers to your understanding.

More: Crop Up: Understanding Meaning and Usage in English

Structure with 'Cross Out'

Understanding the grammatical structure of cross out is key to using it correctly. Cross out is a transitive phrasal verb, meaning it always takes an object (the thing being crossed out). It is also a separable phrasal verb. This means the object can come between "cross" and "out," or it can come after "out."

Generally, if the object is short (like a single word or a short phrase), it can go in either position. However, if the object is a pronoun (e.g., it, them, this), it must go between "cross" and "out."

Let's look at the common meanings and their typical structures:

Meaning 1: To draw a line through written or printed material to indicate deletion or error.

This is the most common meaning of cross out. It's often used when you want to delete text or show something is incorrect.

• Structure 1: Subject + cross + out + object

  • Example 1: "The teacher asked the students to cross out the incorrect answers on the worksheet."
  • Example 2: "I need to cross out the old address on this form before mailing it."

• Structure 2: Subject + cross + object + out

  • Example 1: "Please cross this sentence out; it's no longer relevant."
  • Example 2: "She crossed his name out after he cancelled."

• Structure with a pronoun object (must be separated): Subject + cross + pronoun + out

  • Example 1: "This paragraph is confusing. I'm going to cross it out."
  • Example 2: "These names are wrong; please cross them out."

Meaning 2: To remove an item from a list.

This usage is very similar to the first meaning but specifically applies to lists, such as shopping lists, to-do lists, or lists of names. The action helps in tracking completed or removed items.

• Structure 1: Subject + cross + out + object (item on the list)

  • Example 1: "As I buy each item, I cross out the name on my shopping list."
  • Example 2: "He likes to cross out tasks from his to-do list as he completes them for a sense of accomplishment."

• Structure 2: Subject + cross + object (item on the list) + out

  • Example 1: "I've already bought the milk, so I can cross milk out."
  • Example 2: "Can you cross that appointment out? It's been rescheduled."

Meaning 3: (More Figurative) To eliminate or decide against something.

While less common in its literal physical action, cross out can be used more figuratively to mean eliminating something from consideration or plans. This usage implies a definitive removal or rejection.

• Structure 1: Subject + cross + out + object (idea, plan, option)

  • Example 1: "Due to budget cuts, we had to cross out several projects from our annual plan."
  • Example 2: "They decided to cross out that travel destination after reading negative reviews."

• Structure 2: Subject + cross + object (idea, plan, option) + out

  • Example 1: "Let's cross that option out; it's too risky."
  • Example 2: "The committee crossed his proposal out early in the selection process."

Learning these structures will help you use cross out more flexibly and accurately in your English communication, whether you are editing a document or managing your tasks.

More: Cream off: Understanding the English Phrasal Verb

Related Phrases and Synonyms

While cross out is a very common and useful phrasal verb, there are other words and phrases you can use to convey similar meanings. Expanding your vocabulary with these synonyms can make your English sound more varied and precise. Here are some alternatives, along with explanations and examples:

Understanding these synonyms and related phrases will help you choose the most appropriate term for the context, adding nuance to your vocabulary. For instance, while you might cross out a mistake in your notes, a software program might delete a file, and a legal document might have a clause expunged.

More: Crack Down On: Mastering the Phrasal Verb for English Fluency

Practice Time!

Now, let's test your understanding of the phrasal verb cross out with a few multiple-choice questions. Choose the best answer for each.

Question 1: Which sentence uses "cross out" correctly with a pronoun? a) She decided to cross out it.

b) She decided to cross it out.

c) She decided to cross out them mistakes.

d) She decided it cross out.

Correct answer: b

Question 2: "The editor told me to _____ the redundant phrases in my article." Which option best completes the sentence? a) cross over

b) cross out

c) cross by

d) cross from

Correct answer: b

Question 3: What is the primary meaning of "to cross something out"? a) To underline it for emphasis.

b) To draw a circle around it.

c) To draw a line through it to show it's incorrect or deleted.

d) To write it again more neatly.

Correct answer: c

Question 4: If you cross out an item on a list, it means: a) You are adding it to the list.

b) You are highlighting it as important.

c) You are indicating it has been dealt with or is no longer needed.

d) You are moving it to another list.

Correct answer: c

Conclusion

Mastering English phrasal verbs like cross out is a significant step towards fluency. As we've seen, cross out is a practical and frequently used verb, primarily meaning to draw a line through text or an item on a list to indicate deletion, correction, or completion. Understanding its structure, particularly its separable nature, and its common contexts of use, from editing documents to managing tasks, will greatly improve your command of English. Keep practicing its usage, and don't be afraid to incorporate cross out and its synonyms into your everyday vocabulary. Consistent practice is the key to making these versatile verbs a natural part of your communication toolkit.