preclude that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preclude that" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where one event or condition prevents another from occurring, but "that" is not the appropriate word to follow "preclude." Example: "The new regulations will preclude any further development in the area."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Moving the landing day forward to Tuesday should preclude that possibility.

The New York Times

"I'm not going to do anything to preclude that," he said.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, we know just enough of them to preclude that slight consolation.

The Guardian

The government had already submitted a brief seeking to preclude that defense.

The New Yorker

Lingering uncertainties over the fate of an American marine base in Okinawa preclude that.

The Economist

Congress, too, may feel compelled to pass legislation to preclude that possibility.

The New York Times

And to preclude that possibility it would be productive if the Obama administration got its marbles out of its mouth.

The Washington Post

Store rents on prime streets preclude that; they have risen strikingly in recent years, said Jeffrey Brooker, the president of Webb & Brooker, real estate brokers.

The New York Times

Muslims are urging non-Muslims to celebrate an important past, which does not preclude that past, or any past, from remaining subject to ongoing, critical assessment.

The Guardian - Opinion

The administration has said its embassy move does not preclude that outcome, but that has not appeased Arab leaders who Kushner seeks as backers for his plan.

The Washington Post

The statement from the company appears to preclude that cooperation.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "preclude that" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "prevent that" or "rule that out" to ensure clarity and credibility.

Common error

The word "preclude" typically takes a direct object or is used in a passive construction. Avoid directly following it with "that"; instead, rephrase the sentence for grammatical accuracy. For example, instead of "This will preclude that", say "This will preclude the possibility" or "This will prevent that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preclude that" functions as a verb followed by a demonstrative pronoun. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically incorrect as "preclude" requires a direct object, which "that" does not adequately provide in this context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "preclude that" appears frequently in various sources, including news, scientific articles, and other formal contexts, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The verb "preclude" typically requires a direct object, which "that" doesn't sufficiently provide. Therefore, while the phrase is common, writers should avoid it in favor of more grammatically sound alternatives like "prevent that", "rule that out", or rephrasing the sentence to use a noun phrase as the object of "preclude". Despite its common usage, adhering to grammatical correctness ensures clarity and credibility in writing. Therefore, while examples of "preclude that" abound, writers are advised to use caution and choose grammatically proper alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevent that

A more direct and grammatically correct way to express the idea of stopping something from happening.

rule that out

Suggests eliminating a possibility or option from consideration.

eliminate that possibility

Focuses on removing the chance of something occurring.

make that impossible

Emphasizes the action of rendering something unachievable.

preclude it

A grammatically valid construction using the verb "preclude" with a direct object.

exclude that

Indicates that something is not included or allowed.

avoid that

Suggests taking action to steer clear of something undesirable.

forestall that

Implies preventing something by acting in advance.

counteract that

Suggests acting against something to neutralize its effect.

deter that

Focuses on discouraging or preventing something through fear or doubt.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "preclude that"?

No, the phrase "preclude that" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The verb "preclude" usually requires a direct object. It's better to say "prevent that" or to rephrase using a noun phrase as the object of "preclude", such as "preclude the possibility".

What are some alternatives to using "preclude that"?

Instead of "preclude that", consider using phrases like "prevent that", "rule that out", or "eliminate that possibility". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How can I use the word "preclude" correctly in a sentence?

To use "preclude" correctly, follow it with a noun or noun phrase that serves as the direct object. For example, "The evidence precludes any other explanation" or "The regulations preclude further development."

What's the difference between "preclude" and "prevent"?

"Preclude" means to prevent something from happening or existing, while "prevent" means to stop something from happening or to keep someone from doing something. While they are similar, "preclude" often implies making something impossible, whereas "prevent" suggests stopping it before it occurs. For example: "Strict security measures prevent that kind of attack"; "Lack of funds precludes any further research."