had been precluding

• past perfect progressive

  past perfect progressive

  Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.

  of preclude.
  preclude

  verb (used with object)

  to prevent the presence, existence, or occurrence of; make impossible.

Related Words

• avert
• cease
• deter
• exclude
• forestall
• hinder
• impede
• obviate
• prevent
• prohibit
• rule out