?Rule out is a phrasal verb that means to eliminate or exclude something as a possibility.

[rul a?t]

Usage:

Rule out is often used in discussions or investigations where various options are being considered, and one option needs to be eliminated or excluded. It can also be used in medical contexts when doctors are trying to determine the cause of a patient's symptoms.

Example sentences:

1. After reviewing all the evidence, we can rule out the possibility of foul play in this case.

在審查了所有證據(jù)之后，我們可以排除這起案件存在任何不正當(dāng)行為的可能性。

2. The doctor ordered several tests to rule out any serious conditions that could be causing the patient's symptoms.

醫(yī)生要求進(jìn)行多項檢測，以排除可能導(dǎo)致患者癥狀的嚴(yán)重情況。

3. The witness's testimony helped to rule out one of the suspects in the investigation.

目擊者的證詞幫助排除了調(diào)查中的一個嫌疑人。

4. We need to rule out all other options before we can make a decision on which course of action to take.

在做出決定之前，我們需要排除所有其他選擇。

5. The team had to rule out several potential solutions before finding the right answer to the problem.

團(tuán)隊在找到正確答案之前必須排除幾種潛在解決方案。

Synonyms and usage:

- Eliminate: This word has a similar meaning to rule out and can be used interchangeably in most contexts. However, eliminate may also imply actively getting rid of something, while rule out simply means excluding it as an option.

- Exclude: This word has a similar meaning to rule out and can also be used interchangeably in most contexts. However, exclude may also have a stronger connotation of deliberately keeping something out or preventing it from being included.

- Dismiss: This word can be used in a similar context to rule out, but it often implies a more definitive rejection or refusal to consider something.

Editor's summary:

Rule out is a useful phrasal verb that can help eliminate options or possibilities in discussions, investigations, or medical contexts. It is often used when one option needs to be excluded from consideration. It can be used interchangeably with words like eliminate and exclude, but may also have slightly different connotations.