Understanding the Phrasal Verb: How to Use "Cancel Out" Correctly

Learning English phrasal verbs can be a rewarding part of your language journey. Today, we're diving into the versatile phrasal verb cancel out. Understanding how to use cancel out correctly will help you express ideas of neutralization or balance more effectively. This post will explore the various meanings of cancel out, its grammatical structures, synonyms, and provide practice to solidify your learning. By the end, you'll feel more confident incorporating this useful phrasal verb into your English conversations.

Table of Contents

• What Does "Cancel out" Mean?
• Structure with "Cancel out"
• Related Phrases and Synonyms
• Practice Time!
• Conclusion

What Does "Cancel out" Mean?

The phrasal verb cancel out generally means that two or more things have an opposite effect on each other, so that the overall result is neutral or zero. It implies that the effects of one thing are negated or balanced by another. This concept is crucial for understanding nuanced expressions in English and will help you use cancel out with precision.

More: Call Out: Meanings and Usage of This Common Phrasal Verb

Structure with "Cancel out"

The phrasal verb cancel out is often used intransitively (meaning it doesn't take a direct object that is "cancelled out" by the subject), or with "each other" or "one another." Sometimes, one thing (Subject) cancels out another thing (Object). Let's explore its common meanings and structures to better understand how to use cancel out.

Meaning 1: To neutralize or negate the effect of something

This is the most common meaning of cancel out. It's when two opposing forces, amounts, or effects effectively make each other irrelevant or reduce the net effect to zero. This meaning is fundamental to grasping the core idea behind cancel out.

• Structure 1 (Intransitive, often with "each other"): Subject + cancel out (+ each other)

  • Example 1: The good news and the bad news seemed to cancel out each other, leaving us unsure how to feel.
  • Example 2: Their positive arguments and negative arguments eventually cancel out.

• Structure 2 (Transitive): Subject + cancel out + Object

  • Example 1: The extra payment will cancel out the previous debt.
  • Example 2: Her kindness didn't cancel out his rude behavior entirely, but it helped.

Meaning 2: To balance to zero (often in accounting or mathematics)

This usage of cancel out refers to when debits and credits, or positive and negative numbers, balance each other perfectly, resulting in a net sum of zero. Financial and mathematical contexts frequently employ cancel out in this way.

• Structure 1 (Intransitive): Subject (plural or collective) + cancel out

  • Example 1: After all the calculations, the profits and losses for this quarter cancel out.
  • Example 2: In this equation, the positive and negative terms will cancel out.

• Structure 2 (Transitive, less common for this specific mathematical sense but possible): One set of figures + cancel out + another set of figures

  • Example 1: The credits cancel out the debits on the balance sheet.
  • Example 2: His unexpected bonus helped cancel out the cost of the car repairs.

Meaning 3: To decide that an arranged event will not happen (less common, "cancel" is more typical, but "cancel out" can imply removing it from a schedule due to conflicting events)

While "cancel" is more direct for events, cancel out can be used if one event causes another to be removed from a schedule or plan, often because they conflict or one makes the other unnecessary. In this sense, one thing effectively nullifies the plan for another.

• Structure: Subject (e.g., a conflicting event) + cancel out + Object (the event being cancelled)
  • Example 1: The urgent meeting cancelled out our lunch plans.
  • Example 2: Unfortunately, the rainstorm cancelled out the outdoor concert. (Here, "cancelled" is more common, but "cancelled out" emphasizes the rain being the reason for the plans being nullified).

It's important to note that for the third meaning, simply using "cancel" is often more common and direct (e.g., "They cancelled the concert"). However, cancel out can be used to emphasize the reason or conflicting factor leading to the cancellation. The primary meaning of cancel out revolves around neutralization.

Understanding these structures is key to using cancel out correctly. Pay attention to whether the verb is acting on an object or if things are canceling each other out. Proper usage of cancel out will make your English sound more natural and precise.

More: Mastering 'Call on': Meaning and Usage in English

Related Phrases and Synonyms

To enrich your vocabulary and understand the phrasal verb we are discussing even better, let's look at some synonyms and related phrases. These alternatives can help you express similar ideas with different nuances, expanding your options beyond just one phrasal verb.

These words provide slightly different shades of meaning. For example, neutralize often implies rendering something harmless, while offset is common in financial contexts. Choosing the right synonym depends on the specific context of what you want to express as being nullified or balanced.

More: 'Call Off' Explained: A Comprehensive Guide to This Phrasal Verb

Practice Time!

Let's test your understanding with a few questions. Choose the best answer for each.

Question 1: Which sentence best uses "cancel out" to mean neutralize? a) The loud music will cancel out the party. b) The two opposing forces cancel out each other, resulting in no movement. c) I need to cancel out my subscription. d) He decided to cancel out of the meeting.

Correct answer: b

Question 2: "The good news about the project and the bad news about the budget seem to _________ each other." Which phrasal verb fits best? a) call off b) cancel out c) put off d) take out

Correct answer: b

Question 3: What does it mean if two debits and credits "cancel out" on a balance sheet? a) There is a large profit. b) There is a significant loss. c) They balance each other, resulting in a net of zero. d) More information is needed.

Correct answer: c

Question 4: "The unexpected holiday bonus helped to _________ the cost of the emergency car repair." Which word is a good synonym for the main phrasal verb we are discussing in this context? a) Amplify b) Increase c) Offset d) Begin

Correct answer: c

How did you do? Practicing with examples and questions like these is a great way to master phrasal verbs. Don't hesitate to create your own sentences too!

Conclusion

Understanding and correctly using the phrasal verb focused on in this article significantly enhances your ability to express nuanced ideas in English, particularly those related to balance, neutralization, or offsetting effects. By learning its various meanings, common structures, and related synonyms, you've taken a great step towards more precise communication. Keep practicing its usage in different contexts, and soon this phrasal verb will be a natural part of your English vocabulary.