Which interpretive canon expresses that the express mention of one thing excludes others not mentioned?

Which interpretive canon expresses that the express mention of one thing excludes others not mentioned?

• A. Noscitur a sociis
• B. Ejusdem generis
• C. Expressio unius est exclusio alterius
• D. Stare decisis

Answer: (D)

Expressio unius est exclusio alterius is the rule that when a statute or instrument explicitly mentions certain items, it implies the exclusion of others not named. This means the express listing signals that only the mentioned items are included unless broader language appears elsewhere. The idea is to prevent implying meanings beyond what is stated by saying what is included and, by implication, what is not. Other canons don’t express exclusion in the same way. Noscitur a sociis looks to surrounding words to interpret a term; Ejusdem generis narrows general terms to things of the same class; Stare decisis is about following prior judicial decisions.

Expressio unius est exclusio alterius is the rule that when a statute or instrument explicitly mentions certain items, it implies the exclusion of others not named. This means the express listing signals that only the mentioned items are included unless broader language appears elsewhere. The idea is to prevent implying meanings beyond what is stated by saying what is included and, by implication, what is not.

Other canons don’t express exclusion in the same way. Noscitur a sociis looks to surrounding words to interpret a term; Ejusdem generis narrows general terms to things of the same class; Stare decisis is about following prior judicial decisions.