Preclude vs. Prohibit

Attribute	Preclude	Prohibit
Definition	To prevent something from happening or to make it impossible	To officially forbid something
Usage	Often used in legal contexts or to describe actions that prevent something from occurring	Commonly used in official rules or regulations to indicate something is not allowed
Severity	May imply a lesser degree of restriction compared to "prohibit"	Usually indicates a stronger and more absolute restriction
Synonyms	Prevent, hinder, impede	Forbid, ban, disallow

When it comes to preventing certain actions or events, two commonly used words are "preclude" and "prohibit." While they may seem similar at first glance, there are key differences between the two terms that are important to understand. In this article, we will explore the attributes of preclude and prohibit, examining their definitions, usage, and implications.

Definitions

Preclude is a verb that means to make something impossible or prevent it from happening. It implies that something is prevented from occurring due to certain circumstances or actions. For example, "The heavy rain precluded us from having a picnic in the park." On the other hand, prohibit is also a verb that means to formally forbid something by law, rule, or authority. It implies a more official or legal restriction on an action. For example, "Smoking is prohibited in this area."

Usage

Preclude is often used in a more general sense to indicate that something is prevented or made impossible. It can be used in various contexts, such as discussions about possibilities, options, or outcomes. For example, "His lack of experience precludes him from applying for the job." Prohibit, on the other hand, is typically used in a more formal or legal context to indicate that something is not allowed or is forbidden by a specific rule or regulation. For example, "The sign clearly prohibits parking in this area."

Implications

The implications of precluding something are that it is prevented from happening due to certain circumstances or conditions. It does not necessarily involve a formal or legal restriction, but rather a natural or logical consequence. For example, "The early arrival of winter precluded us from planting the garden." On the other hand, the implications of prohibiting something are that it is explicitly forbidden by a rule, law, or authority. It carries a sense of authority and enforcement, indicating that there are consequences for violating the prohibition. For example, "The school prohibits students from using cell phones during class."

Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the differences between preclude and prohibit:

• Preclude: The stormy weather precluded us from going on a hike.
• Prohibit: The sign prohibits dogs from entering the playground.
• Preclude: His lack of qualifications precluded him from being considered for the promotion.
• Prohibit: The law prohibits the sale of alcohol to minors.
• Preclude: The limited budget precluded us from taking a vacation this year.
• Prohibit: The company policy prohibits employees from using social media during work hours.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while preclude and prohibit are both verbs that involve preventing certain actions or events, they have distinct meanings and implications. Preclude is more general and implies that something is made impossible or prevented from happening, often due to circumstances or conditions. Prohibit, on the other hand, is more formal and implies a legal or official restriction on an action, indicating that it is forbidden by a rule, law, or authority. Understanding the differences between preclude and prohibit can help you use these terms accurately and effectively in your writing and communication.