Meaning & use
preclude
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To make something impossible or to stop it from happening.
Grammar: Takes an object: preclude the possibility.
Patterns
- preclude something
- preclude someone from doing something
His injury precluded any chance of playing.
The contract precludes sharing data.
Lack of funds precluded further research.
verbtransitive
To keep someone from doing something.
Grammar: Often takes from: precludes him from voting.
Patterns
- preclude someone from something
A criminal record may preclude you from the job.
Rules preclude minors from entering.
Time precluded him from attending.
Word forms
| third person singular | precludes |
|---|---|
| past tense | precluded |
| past participle | precluded |
| -ing form | precluding |
Common combinations
- preclude the possibility
- The data precludes that possibility.
- preclude the need
- The system precludes the need for extra staff.
- preclude from
- Age precludes him from joining.
- effectively preclude
- The rule effectively precludes appeals.
Synonyms and how they differ
- prevent
- Prevent is plain and general, whereas preclude is formal and suggests ruling something out in advance.
- rule out
- Rule out is less formal and focuses on decision.
- prohibit
- Prohibit means to ban by rule or law.
- exclude
- Exclude means to leave out.
Opposites
Word family
- preclusion noun
- the act of precluding
- preclusive adjective
- tending to preclude
Commonly confused: preclude or include? preclude or conclude?
preclude vs include
Include means to contain, the opposite of leaving out.
preclude vs conclude
Conclude means to finish or decide.
Practice
The treaty ___ either side from building new bases.
Choose one answer.
Precludes ... from means stops. The other options do not take from.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “preclude”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.