I was prevented from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was prevented from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone was stopped or hindered from doing something. Example: "I was prevented from attending the meeting due to a scheduling conflict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"I was prevented from defending my clients," he said.

The New York Times

"I was prevented from trying to make a save," Brodeur said.

The New York Times - Sports

He had used the word, saying that I was prevented from speaking honestly; I objected; he objected to my objection.

The New Yorker

Even then, I was prevented from giving it much thought by the realization that someone was trying to strangle me.

The New Yorker

"I was prevented from giving my client the basics that he needed, despite the items being available in stock, and they were never issued to him".

The Guardian

"As a pharmacist for more than 30 years, there were many times when I was prevented from telling my patients that there was a cheaper option because of a gag clause," said Mr. Carter, known as Buddy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

And during the high-dose session I visualised my grief as an ulcer that I was preventing from healing so that I could stay connected to my mother.

The Guardian

I called an ambulance, but it was prevented from entering the camp," he said.

The Guardian

Low point: "When my wife and I were prevented from returning to Brazil for many years for political reasons".

The Guardian

After filming a handcuffed protestor being punched in the head by a police officer, another photographer and I were prevented from filming and removed from the area.

The Guardian - Opinion

I laugh, and once again get up to leave, and once again I am prevented from doing so by Ricard's desperate clutch.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was prevented from" when you want to emphasize that an external force or circumstance directly stopped you from doing something. It's more direct than saying "I was unable to."

Common error

Avoid using "I was prevented from" when you actually mean "I was discouraged from". "Prevented" implies an actual barrier or force, while "discouraged" suggests influence or persuasion. For example, say "I was prevented from entering the building" (physical barrier) versus "I was discouraged from pursuing that career" (influenced decision).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was prevented from" functions as a passive construction indicating that the subject (I) was the recipient of an action that hindered or stopped them from performing something. As noted by Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was prevented from" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction that expresses the idea of being stopped or hindered from performing an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and formal settings. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately conveys the sense of an external force causing the prevention, and consider alternative phrases like "I was stopped from" or "I was barred from" for nuanced meanings. Remember to avoid confusing it with "I was discouraged from", which implies a different type of influence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was stopped from

Emphasizes a direct halt or cessation of an action.

I was barred from

Implies a more formal or legal prohibition.

I was prohibited from

Suggests a rule or law that prevents the action.

I was hindered from

Indicates that something made it difficult to do something, but not necessarily impossible.

I was obstructed from

Similar to hindered, but suggests a deliberate act of blocking or impeding.

I was blocked from

Implies a physical or figurative barrier.

I was restrained from

Suggests a force or control that limited the action.

I was unable to

Focuses on the inability to perform an action, regardless of the reason.

Circumstances prevented me from

Shifts focus to external circumstances as the cause of prevention.

I faced obstacles in

Highlights challenges encountered, implying prevention as a result of difficulties.

FAQs

How can I use "I was prevented from" in a sentence?

Use "I was prevented from" to describe situations where an external force or circumstance stopped you from doing something. For example, "I was prevented from attending the meeting due to a scheduling conflict."

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

You can use alternatives like "I was stopped from", "I was barred from", or "I was prohibited from" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "I was prevented from doing" or "I was prevented to do"?

"I was prevented from doing" is correct. The preposition "from" is followed by a gerund (verb ending in -ing). "I was prevented to do" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "I was prevented from" and "I was discouraged from"?

"I was prevented from" implies a direct external force stopped you. "I was discouraged from" suggests you were persuaded not to do something, but not physically stopped.