preclude each other

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preclude each other" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe situations where two or more things cannot coexist or happen simultaneously due to conflicting nature or conditions. Example: "The two proposals preclude each other, making it impossible to implement both at the same time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For classroom purposes, he presents the three approaches as rivals, though how far they do preclude each other is debatable.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The two forms are dissimilar enough to preclude misalignment with each other, but duplicates of each are not variable enough to prevent concerted evolution among each form.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Does one preclude the other?

The Guardian

Why should one preclude the other?

The New York Times

To be effective, one cannot preclude the other.

The New York Times

"One doesn't preclude the other," said the government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou.

The Guardian - Business

The Snapple deal, analysts said, proves that one action does not necessarily preclude the other.

The New York Times

The Newspeak of "1984" was meant to preclude, among other things, puns.

The New York Times - Books

She insists that the attacks be forthrightly described as evil -- which wouldn't preclude condemning other evils as well.

The New York Times - Books

"Our position was that one doesn't preclude the other," said Roger Wareham, a lawyer for the coalition.

The New York Times

These may preclude many other potential sources of ionospheric disturbance.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "preclude each other", ensure the subjects are clearly defined and that their incompatibility is evident within the context of your writing. For example: "Conflicting schedules may preclude each other, making collaboration difficult."

Common error

Avoid using "preclude each other" when the items in question merely influence each other rather than making each other impossible. For example, saying "high prices preclude other sales" might be inaccurate if some sales still occur despite high prices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preclude each other" functions as a reciprocal verb phrase, indicating that two or more entities prevent or exclude one another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The examples show its use in describing mutually exclusive options or actions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preclude each other" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate mutual exclusivity or incompatibility between two or more entities. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's relatively rare, appearing more often in news, scientific, and formal writing. Alternatives such as "rule each other out" or "be mutually exclusive" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. When using this phrase, ensure that the incompatibility is clear and the context supports the strong sense of exclusion that it conveys.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be mutually exclusive

States that the two cannot exist or occur at the same time.

rule each other out

Emphasizes the act of eliminating each other as possibilities.

exclude one another

Highlights the act of keeping each other out or separate.

prevent each other

Focuses on the action of stopping each other from happening.

impede one another

Suggests hindering or slowing each other's progress.

obviate each other

Implies making each other unnecessary or irrelevant.

counteract each other

Highlights the act of opposing each other's effects.

cancel each other out

Emphasizes the nullifying effect each has on the other.

negate one another

Focuses on the idea of each invalidating the other.

conflict with each other

Highlights a state of opposition or incompatibility.

FAQs

How can I use "preclude each other" in a sentence?

Use "preclude each other" to indicate that two or more things cannot happen or exist simultaneously because they are incompatible. For example: "These safety measures "preclude each other", so we must choose the most effective one."

What does "preclude each other" mean?

"Preclude each other" means that the presence or occurrence of one thing makes it impossible for another thing to exist or happen. They are mutually exclusive.

What are some alternatives to saying "preclude each other"?

Alternatives include "rule each other out", "exclude one another", or "be mutually exclusive". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "precludes each other"?

No, the correct form is "preclude each other". The verb "preclude" remains in its base form when referring to a reciprocal relationship between multiple subjects.