be forbidden from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be forbidden from" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is not allowed to do something or is prohibited from engaging in a specific action. Example: "Students are forbidden from using their phones during the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And the courts would be forbidden from intervening.

The New York Times

He was worried, he said, that he would again be forbidden from speaking to his family.

The New York Times - Magazine

You think punt returners should be forbidden from calling a fair catch?

The New York Times - Sports

They will also be forbidden from using appraisals by a subsidiary or an affiliated company.

The New York Times

By March 11 , 2013 companies will be forbidden from further tests designed to establish longer-term toxicity.

The New York Times

The government would be forbidden from borrowing to finance any spending, unless a supermajority agreed to the borrowing.

The New York Times

Passengers will still be forbidden from making cellphone calls on planes at all times under Federal Communications Commission rules.

The New York Times

Your Internet providers would be forbidden from blocking you under rules approved by the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday.

The New York Times

Corbyn has made it clear he does not believe the billionaire businessman should be forbidden from entering the UK.

Independent

Republicans said in the motion that it is central to American democracy that nonqualified voters be forbidden from voting.

The New York Times

Ministers and top officials should be forbidden from taking jobs in the sectors they were charged with regulating.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be forbidden from", ensure the context clearly specifies who is imposing the restriction and what the specific action is.

Common error

Avoid using "being forbidden from" when a simple "is forbidden from" or "are forbidden from" is grammatically correct and more concise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be forbidden from" functions as a passive construction indicating prohibition. It highlights that a subject is not permitted or allowed to perform a specific action. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Academia

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be forbidden from" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction that conveys prohibition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal and neutral contexts, particularly in news and media. While it can be replaced by synonyms like "be prohibited from" or "be banned from", it's essential to maintain clarity regarding who is imposing the restriction and what action is being restricted. Common errors include using unnecessary progressive tenses. By understanding its correct usage and nuances, writers can effectively communicate restrictions in a clear and concise manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be prohibited from

Uses a synonym of "forbidden", maintaining a similar level of formality.

be banned from

Implies a more official or legal prohibition.

be restricted from

Suggests limitations or constraints, but not necessarily a complete ban.

be prevented from

Focuses on the act of stopping someone from doing something.

not be allowed to

A more straightforward and less formal way of expressing prohibition.

be excluded from

Implies that someone or something is left out from an activity or group.

be barred from

Suggests an obstruction or impediment preventing access or action.

be ineligible for

Indicates a lack of qualification or suitability.

be unable to

Indicates impossibility due to different reasons.

be out of bounds for

Idiomatic expression meaning something is off-limits.

FAQs

How can I use "be forbidden from" in a sentence?

You can use "be forbidden from" to indicate that someone is not allowed to do something, like "Students are "be forbidden from" using their phones during class".

What is a synonym for "be forbidden from"?

A direct synonym for "be forbidden from" is "be prohibited from". Other similar phrases include "be banned from" and "not be allowed to".

Is it correct to say "being forbidden from"?

While "being forbidden from" might be grammatically acceptable in some contexts, it's often more concise and clear to use "is forbidden from" or "are forbidden from" depending on the subject. Using the simple present avoids unnecessary complexity.

What's the difference between "be forbidden from" and "be prevented from"?

"Be forbidden from" implies a rule or law is in place, whereas "be prevented from" suggests an action that stops something from happening, even without a formal rule. For instance, "They "are forbidden from" entering" means it's against the rules, while "They "are prevented from" entering" means something is physically blocking them.