preclude
C1/C2Formal, academic, legal, professional. Rare in casual conversation.
Definition
Meaning
To make something impossible or prevent it from happening; to exclude the possibility of.
To prevent someone from doing something or to remove a potential outcome from consideration.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a strong, often logical or factual barrier, not just a difficulty. Often used with abstract nouns (possibility, chance, option).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in American legal and academic writing.
Connotations
Both varieties carry a formal, precise connotation.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but consistent across formal registers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
preclude sthpreclude sb from doing sthVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific; used in literal sense.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The contract precludes us from working with direct competitors for two years.
Academic
The study's methodological limitations preclude definitive conclusions.
Everyday
His prior commitment precludes him from attending the weekend event.
Technical
The laws of physics preclude faster-than-light travel.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The heavy rain precluded any chance of holding the garden party.
- His lack of formal qualifications does not preclude him from applying for the role.
- A clause in the treaty precludes unilateral military action.
American English
- The new evidence precludes the defendant's original alibi.
- Budget constraints preclude hiring additional staff this quarter.
- Federal law precludes states from regulating interstate commerce.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
American English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Not typical at this level.
- Bad weather precluded the football match.
- The rules preclude players from wearing jewellery.
- The company's ethical policy precludes investment in fossil fuels.
- His busy schedule precluded him from taking on another project.
- The inherent uncertainty of the model precludes precise predictions.
- Nothing in the statute precludes judicial review of the administrative decision.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PRE-CLOSE. To close the door BEFORE something can happen, thus preventing it.
Conceptual Metaphor
BLOCKING A PATH / CLOSING A DOOR. Conceptualised as placing an immovable barrier in front of a potential action or event.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'предclude' (doesn't exist). Closest is 'исключать возможность' (to exclude the possibility) or 'препятствовать' (to hinder/impede). 'Preclude' is stronger and more final than 'препятствовать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it with a person as the direct object (e.g., 'It precluded him' is vague). Better: 'It precluded him *from acting*.'
- Confusing with 'precede' (to come before).
- Using in overly informal contexts where 'prevent' or 'stop' would be natural.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'preclude' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a formal word most common in academic, legal, and professional writing.
'Preclude' is more formal and often focuses on removing a possibility logically or in advance. 'Prevent' is more general and can be used in any context to mean 'stop from happening'.
No. The correct pattern is 'preclude something' or 'preclude someone/something from doing something'.
It's possible but less common. 'Preclude' typically pairs with words like 'possibility' or 'chance'. For 'risk', verbs like 'eliminate', 'mitigate', or 'prevent' are more frequent collocations.