preclude the possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'preclude the possibility' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that cannot happen or is impossible to occur. For example, "The fact that I am allergic to peanuts precludes the possibility of me ever eating one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Shariatmadari seemed to preclude the possibility of a military assault by American forces.

The New Yorker

That, however, did not preclude the possibility that they had already gone in and come out.

The New York Times

A good novel does not preclude the possibility of another good novel".

The New Yorker

But even the ranking system does not preclude the possibility of listening to something painful.

The New York Times - Tech

While it is hoped the bailout will preclude the possibility of bankruptcy not everybody is convinced.

The Guardian - Business

But an eagerness to normalize relations with the West doesn't preclude the possibility of violence.

The New York Times

He is not against ideologies, but against ideologies fermees, which keep men from thinking & preclude the possibility of having ideas.

The New Yorker

It is more composed than it first seems, and its arrangements preclude the possibility of numbing strings of solos.

The New York Times

But he and his successors in the Obama Administration haven't done enough to preclude the possibility of a repeat performance.

The New Yorker

Though there is no evidence that Iraq has the virus, intelligence officials have been unable to preclude the possibility.

The New York Times

It also seemed to preclude the possibility that birds or other foreign objects had been sucked into the engines.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, specify the factors that "preclude the possibility" to make the sentence more informative and easier to understand.

Common error

While "preclude the possibility" is correct, avoid using it excessively if simpler alternatives like "prevent" or "rule out" can convey the same meaning more directly. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preclude the possibility" functions as a verb phrase that describes the act of preventing something from happening or being possible. It's often used to highlight the elimination of a potential outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preclude the possibility" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something makes a particular outcome impossible. As Ludwig AI highlighted, this phrase is grammatically correct and finds frequent application across diverse fields such as news, science, and formal writing. While alternatives like "prevent the possibility" and "eliminate the chance" exist, "preclude the possibility" is typically favored in more formal contexts. Remember to ensure it fits the register and don't overuse it if simpler terms are available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevent the possibility

Emphasizes proactive measures taken to stop something from happening, mirroring the original phrase's aim of averting a potential event.

eliminate the chance

Highlights the removal of any opportunity for something to occur, similar to making something impossible.

rule out the option

Focuses on rejecting a specific choice or alternative, thereby making it not viable.

remove any prospect of

Suggests that all likelihood of a particular outcome has been taken away.

make impossible

Directly states that something cannot happen, emphasizing the impossibility of the event.

obviate the chance

This indicates that something is no longer necessary because another action has made it redundant, therefore cancelling a possibility.

avert the risk

Focuses on avoiding a dangerous or negative outcome, which is a specific type of possibility.

negate the potential

Indicates that the inherent capacity for something to occur has been nullified.

render unfeasible

Emphasizes that something has been made impractical or not viable.

block the potential

Suggests obstructing the capacity of something from developing or occurring.

FAQs

How can I use "preclude the possibility" in a sentence?

You can use "preclude the possibility" to indicate that something makes another thing impossible. For example: "Wearing a mask during surgery "prevents the risk" of infection and "precludes the possibility" of spreading germs".

What are some alternatives to "preclude the possibility"?

Alternatives include "prevent the possibility", "eliminate the chance", or "rule out the option". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "preclude the possibility" or "prevent the possibility"?

"Preclude the possibility" is more formal and suggests a complete barrier. "Prevent the possibility" is more general and may imply reducing the likelihood, but not necessarily eliminating it entirely.

Does "preclude the possibility" mean the same as "reduce the possibility"?

No, "preclude the possibility" means to make something impossible, while "reduce the possibility" means to lower the likelihood of something happening, not eliminate it entirely.