are restricted by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are restricted by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate limitations or constraints imposed on something or someone. Example: "The project timelines are restricted by the availability of resources and personnel."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

But some competitions are restricted by master-point totals.

The New York Times

"We are restricted by it," Mr. Murdock said.

The New York Times

In certain circumstances exports are restricted by the controlling body.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Mets are restricted by confidentiality rules from discussing drug use by players.

The New York Times - Sports

His movements are restricted by his mortal enemy, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel.

The New York Times

Iraqi oil sales are restricted by the United Nations oil-for-food program.

The New York Times

The circumstances under which judges can be removed from office are restricted by legislation.

The Guardian

"Right now, it doesn't appear as if we are, primarily because our best players are restricted by base-year compensation.

The New York Times - Sports

"Consumers want to buy more sustainably but are restricted by price, patchy availability and scepticism," says the report.

The Guardian

Fassel has not ruled out making personnel changes, but his choices are restricted by one of the league's thinnest rosters.

The New York Times - Sports

Solid-solid transformations are restricted by the slow rates of diffusion in solids.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are restricted by", clearly state what is causing the restriction to provide context and clarity for the reader. Ensure the subject and the cause of restriction are logically connected.

Common error

Avoid using "are restricted by" without specifying the nature of the restriction. Instead of saying "actions are restricted by factors", be specific: "actions are restricted by budgetary constraints and legal regulations".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are restricted by" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating that a subject's actions, capabilities, or scope is limited or constrained by an external factor. It is commonly used to denote limitations imposed by rules, regulations, conditions, or other entities, as illustrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are restricted by" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates limitations or constraints imposed on a subject by external factors. As affirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for diverse contexts, ranging from scientific discourse to news reporting. The phrase's frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and scientific journals underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance. When using this phrase, clarity is crucial: specify the nature of the restriction to avoid vagueness and ensure the connection between the subject and the cause of restriction is logically sound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are limited by

Direct synonym, replacing 'restricted' with 'limited' to indicate a boundary or constraint.

are constrained by

Similar to 'restricted', but emphasizes the force or compulsion behind the limitation.

are bound by

Implies a legal or moral obligation that limits actions.

are governed by

Suggests that rules or regulations dictate the limits.

are dictated by

Highlights that external forces or conditions control the limits.

are subject to

Indicates that something is vulnerable to the influence or control of something else.

are dependent on

Shows that the possibility of action is determined by another factor.

are conditional on

Implies that fulfillment depends on certain conditions being met.

are influenced by

Suggests that the limit is the effect of the influence, so it could change more easily.

are regulated by

Highlights that a system of rules controls the limits.

FAQs

How can I use "are restricted by" in a sentence?

The phrase "are restricted by" indicates a limitation or constraint. For example, "The project timelines "are restricted by the availability of resources"".

What are some alternatives to "are restricted by"?

You can use alternatives such as "are limited by", "are constrained by", or "are governed by" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "are restricted by" or "is restricted by"?

The correct form depends on whether the subject is plural or singular. Use "are restricted by" for plural subjects (e.g., "the rules are restricted by law"), and "is restricted by" for singular subjects (e.g., "the rule is restricted by law").

What is the difference between "are restricted by" and "are influenced by"?

"Are restricted by" implies a hard limit or constraint, while "are influenced by" suggests a more subtle effect. Restrictions are firm boundaries, whereas influences are factors that impact but don't necessarily prevent something from happening.