a blanket ban

USAGE SUMMARY

'a blanket ban' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to an absolute prohibition on something. For example: The government has imposed a blanket ban on gatherings of more than fifty people.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"You can't have a blanket ban.

The Guardian

A blanket ban on so-called legal highs.

The Guardian

But it doesn't call for a blanket ban on pornography.

The New York Times

I think a blanket ban would be going too far.

The Guardian

"A blanket ban on picking mushrooms would be a tragedy".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Could a blanket ban be imposed on such sites?

The Guardian - Money

Even ignoring technical considerations, implementation of a blanket ban on strong encryption would be unwise.

Columbia University

None who were interviewed, however, advocated a blanket ban on hits to the head.

The New York Times - Sports

However, this new study's findings hardly reflect science settled enough to warrant such a blanket ban.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

There are obvious pros to a blanket ban approach.

Vice

Case law has established that healthcare organisations may not operate a 'blanket ban' for particular services.

European Journal of Health Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer active voice when writing a sentence containing "a blanket ban". This enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming the audience knows the specifics of what is being banned. Always clarify the subject of the "blanket ban" to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a blanket ban" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a comprehensive and unrestricted prohibition. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a blanket ban" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that signifies a comprehensive and unrestricted prohibition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It appears frequently in news and media, as well as in academic and formal business contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is being banned. While alternatives like "a total prohibition" or "a complete restriction" exist, "a blanket ban" remains a straightforward and widely understood way to express a comprehensive prohibition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a total prohibition

Emphasizes the completeness of the ban, similar to "a blanket ban".

a complete restriction

Focuses on the limiting aspect of the ban.

an outright ban

Highlights the direct and immediate nature of the ban.

a comprehensive prohibition

Stresses the wide scope of the ban.

a sweeping prohibition

Indicates the broad coverage of the ban.

a universal ban

Highlights the application of the ban to everyone, in all cases.

a categorical ban

Emphasizes that the ban applies to an entire category.

a widespread prohibition

Indicates that the ban is generally applied.

an absolute prohibition

Focuses on the strictness and lack of exceptions to the ban.

a general prohibition

Highlights that the ban is not limited or specific.

FAQs

How to use "a blanket ban" in a sentence?

You can use "a blanket ban" to describe a situation where something is completely prohibited. For example, "The company imposed "a blanket ban" on using social media during work hours".

What can I say instead of "a blanket ban"?

You can use alternatives like "a total prohibition", "a complete restriction", or "an outright ban" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a blanket ban" formal or informal?

"A blanket ban" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the communication, rather than the phrase itself.

What's the difference between "a blanket ban" and "a partial ban"?

"A blanket ban" refers to a complete and total prohibition, whereas "a partial ban" indicates that only some aspects or instances of something are prohibited. A partial ban allows for exceptions or limitations, while "a blanket ban" does not.