I was barred from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was barred from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was prohibited or prevented from doing something or entering a place. Example: "I was barred from entering the club due to my age."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Other than visiting Lebanon, I'd never left Syria when, in the fall of 2004, I was barred from leaving the country.

The New York Times

I tried to go back once, in 2001, when I was the Middle East correspondent for The Times, but after I wrote an article about the dark eccentricities of Qaddafi's rule, I was barred from the country.

The New York Times - Magazine

The freedoms I was given were small and huge at once: though as a girl I was barred from counting toward a prayer quorum or baring my shoulders, I was granted a superb secular education alongside my religious studies, and was also permitted to use the Internet.

The New Yorker

But as I was barred from repeating a word of what was said behind those closed doors, it was a dubious privilege.

BBC

But he doesn't expect any problems leaving for Washington to receive his award on May 4. "That was the only time that I was barred" from overseas travel, he explains.

Forbes

Back when I was barred from casting my ballot, purging voters just wasn't an issue anyone cared about.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

You're not obliged to eat animal fat to please her, any more than I'm barred from eating it because you don't.

The New York Times

"I worked on that station for thousands of hours, for more than a year, and now I am barred from that station," Ms. Isler said.

The New York Times

"I'm barred from picking up my mail, looking at notices or talking to any employees," said Mr. Cherchi (pronounced KIRK-kee).

The New York Times

I am barred from talking about the specifics of their work.

Vice

Suddenly though, I am barred from entering the actual studio where he is working on a new piece.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was barred from" to clearly indicate a formal or official prohibition. Ensure the context supports the use of a strong term like "barred."

Common error

Avoid using "I was barred from" in casual situations where a less formal phrase like "I couldn't" or "I wasn't allowed to" would be more appropriate. "Barred" implies a significant level of authority or restriction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was barred from" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being prohibited or prevented from something. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase is often used to describe instances where a formal restriction was imposed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was barred from" is a common phrase used to express a formal restriction or prohibition. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct and widely understood. Its usage is prevalent in news, formal business contexts, and even scientific reporting. While alternatives exist, like "I was prohibited from" or "I was prevented from", the choice depends on the specific nuance you aim to convey. Remember to use "I was barred from" when the context calls for a strong, official tone, and consider other options for more casual situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was prohibited from

Replaces "barred" with "prohibited", indicating a formal ban.

I was restricted from

Uses "restricted" instead of "barred", suggesting limitations rather than a complete ban.

I was forbidden from

Substitutes "barred" with "forbidden", implying a strong prohibition, often with moral or ethical connotations.

I was excluded from

Replaces "barred" with "excluded", suggesting being left out or not allowed to participate.

I was prevented from

Uses "prevented" instead of "barred", focusing on the act of stopping something from happening.

I was kept from

Replaces "barred" with "kept from", implying an external force hindering access or action.

I was denied access to

Emphasizes the denial of access rather than a general prohibition.

I was not allowed to

Expresses a lack of permission rather than a formal barring.

I was refused entry to

Specifically refers to being denied entry to a place.

I was shut out of

Implies being forcibly excluded, often from a metaphorical space or opportunity.

FAQs

What does "I was barred from" mean?

The phrase "I was barred from" means that someone was officially prohibited or prevented from doing something or entering a specific place. It implies a formal restriction.

What can I say instead of "I was barred from"?

You can use alternatives like "I was prohibited from", "I was restricted from", or "I was prevented from" depending on the context.

Is "I was barred to" grammatically correct?

No, "I was barred to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "I was barred from". The preposition "from" is necessary to indicate what the person was prevented from doing or accessing.

When is it appropriate to use "I was barred from"?

It is appropriate to use "I was barred from" when you want to express that you were officially or formally prohibited from doing something. It is suitable for situations involving rules, regulations, or authority figures.