are prevented from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are prevented from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is being stopped from doing something. Example: "The heavy rain has caused the event organizers to announce that attendees are prevented from entering the venue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some outfits are prevented from trading swaps.

The Economist

Other users are prevented from establishing accounts.

The New York Times - Health

Its leaders are prevented from talking to one another.

The New York Times

Staff are prevented from selling their shares for three years.

The Guardian - Business

Medicines, vaccines and food are prevented from entering the country.

The Guardian

Efficient firms are prevented from taking over sluggish ones.

The Economist

Many more are prevented from crossing, only to try again another day.

Cornell University

(Analysts are prevented from commenting on deals for which their firms are advisers).

The New York Times

Under the current law, candidates are prevented from defaming the character of other candidates.

The Guardian

Yet, Fannie and Freddie are prevented from financing such mortgage products by their charters.

The Guardian - Opinion

The viewers are prevented from identifying themselves with the performance, and performers with their roles.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are prevented from" when you want to emphasize an external force or rule that is causing the inability to perform an action.

Common error

Avoid using active voice when the focus should be on the entity being restricted. Instead of "Rules prevent them from leaving", use "They are prevented from leaving by the rules".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are prevented from" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject is being acted upon and is unable to perform a specific action due to external constraints or restrictions. This usage is supported by Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are prevented from" is a versatile and commonly used passive construction to express that someone or something is being stopped or restricted from doing something due to external factors. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, especially in news, scientific, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "are prohibited from" or "are restricted from" exist, "are prevented from" emphasizes the external force causing the inability. When writing, ensure you are using passive voice correctly and maintaining a focus on what is being restricted, rather than the actor doing the preventing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are prohibited from

Indicates a formal ban or legal restriction, carrying a stronger connotation of authority.

are barred from

Suggests a restriction from entering a place or participating in an activity.

are restricted from

Implies limitations or constraints on actions or access.

are unable to

Focuses on the lack of ability or capacity to perform an action.

are incapable of

Emphasizes a fundamental lack of the necessary skills or qualities.

are hindered from

Highlights the presence of obstacles or impediments.

are blocked from

Suggests an obstruction preventing progress or access.

cannot

A more concise way of expressing inability, suitable for less formal contexts.

may not

Indicates lack of permission, may imply an allowance under different circumstances.

are dissuaded from

Suggests discouragement through advice or persuasion, rather than a direct prohibition.

FAQs

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

Use "are prevented from" to show that someone or something is being stopped or restricted from doing something, such as "Students "are prevented from using cellphones" during exams".

What are some alternatives to "are prevented from"?

You can use alternatives such as "are prohibited from", "are barred from", or "are restricted from" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "are prevented from" and "cannot"?

"Are prevented from" emphasizes an external force or rule causing the inability, while "cannot" simply indicates a lack of ability. For example, "They are prevented from entering by security" versus "They "cannot enter" because they lack the necessary credentials".

Is it correct to say "are preventing from" instead of "are prevented from"?

No, "are preventing from" is grammatically incorrect. The correct passive construction is "are prevented from". "Are preventing" requires an object, such as "They "are preventing him from leaving"", where "him" is the object.