should preclude

USAGE SUMMARY

"should preclude" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to talk about something that should be prevented or avoided. For example: "Further inspection of the machinery should preclude any accidents in the factory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

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

The City is divided over whether lying in court should preclude him from holding office again.

The Guardian - Business

Two intractable wars should preclude the culture war McCain has just so shamelessly embraced.

The New York Times

Do you think that weakness should preclude someone from public life?

The Guardian

If something should preclude someone from public life, it might be excessive puritanism.

The Guardian

But Hopkins's performance was impressive anyway: a victory against a real contender, at an age that should preclude impressive performances.

The New Yorker

Regulators appear divided over whether the agreements should preclude efforts by the states to correct and punish foreclosure abuses.

The New York Times

It may not be A-Rod's drug use or lying that should preclude him from being a role model.

The New York Times

Indian Point has several sources of power and water that should preclude a similar situation there, he said.

The New York Times

She's a housewife from a humble background: it's not clear why this should preclude her being a gifted poet.

Independent

She says she'd like children of her own one day and doesn't see why her career should preclude that.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should preclude" when you want to suggest that a specific action or condition makes another outcome unlikely or impossible. Ensure that the context clearly establishes the causal relationship between the precluding factor and the precluded outcome.

Common error

While "should preclude" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Consider using simpler alternatives like "should prevent" or "should stop" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should preclude" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing a strong suggestion or expectation that something will prevent a particular outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should preclude" is a modal verb phrase used to express a strong expectation that something will prevent a specific outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, especially in formal and scientific contexts. It is frequently found in News & Media and Science, making it suitable for professional writing. While grammatically sound, consider simpler alternatives in informal settings. Remember that "should preclude" suggests a higher degree of certainty than "should prevent". By understanding its nuances, writers can use "should preclude" effectively to convey assurance and confidence in preventative measures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to prevent

Emphasizes a moral obligation to prevent something.

should forestall

Highlights proactive action to avert a situation.

must rule out

Indicates a necessity to eliminate a possibility.

should make impossible

Focuses on creating a condition where something cannot happen.

should hinder

Implies an obstruction or impediment.

should avert

Highlights the avoidance of a negative outcome.

should eliminate

Focuses on removing the possibility of something.

should negate

Indicates the nullification of an effect or possibility.

should impede

Suggests slowing down or obstructing progress.

should block

Implies a direct and forceful obstruction.

FAQs

How can I use "should preclude" in a sentence?

Use "should preclude" to indicate that something makes another thing unlikely or impossible. For example, "Implementing stricter security measures should preclude any further data breaches."

What are some alternatives to "should preclude"?

You can use alternatives like "ought to prevent", "must rule out", or "should prevent" depending on the context.

Is "should preclude" formal or informal?

"Should preclude" is generally considered a formal phrase, often used in professional, academic, or news contexts. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives might be preferable.

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

While both suggest avoiding something, "should preclude" implies a higher degree of certainty or impossibility. "Should prevent" suggests an effort to avoid something, while ""should preclude"" suggests that the possibility is effectively eliminated.