be prevented from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be prevented from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is stopped from doing something or achieving a goal. Example: "She was prevented from attending the meeting due to a scheduling conflict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Could latecomers to class be prevented from entering?

The New York Times

The BBC must be prevented from broadcasting this series.

The Guardian - Books

Our children should not be prevented from discovering it.

The Guardian - Opinion

How can it be prevented from ever happening again?

The Guardian

Nor can they be prevented from fixing existing systemic weaknesses.

The Guardian

Everyone says Iran must be prevented from going nuclear.

The Washington Post

Former paramilitaries must be prevented from taking up arms again.

The Economist

"They might get injured and be prevented from childbirth".

The New York Times - Sports

They have to be prevented from using physical force.

Independent

How will torture be prevented from happening again?

The New York Times

Cars will be prevented from turning down certain streets.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be prevented from", ensure the sentence clearly indicates who or what is doing the preventing, as well as who or what is being prevented.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the agent causing the prevention. Without clarity, the sentence can be unclear. Instead of "Mistakes should be prevented from occurring", specify "Managers should be prevented from making mistakes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be prevented from" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone or something is being stopped or hindered from performing an action. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, reinforcing its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be prevented from" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that indicates the act of being stopped or hindered. As confirmed by Ludwig, it’s versatile and appropriate across various contexts, from formal academic writing to news reporting. To use it effectively, ensure clarity by specifying who or what is doing the preventing. While similar phrases like "be stopped from" and "be prohibited from" offer alternatives, understanding the subtle nuances in meaning can enhance your writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be stopped from

Replaces "prevented" with "stopped", indicating a more direct halt to an action.

be prohibited from

Uses "prohibited" to denote a formal ban or restriction.

be barred from

Emphasizes exclusion or being kept out of something.

be restrained from

Highlights the act of being held back or controlled from an action.

be hindered from

Indicates that progress or action is made difficult.

be blocked from

Suggests an obstruction that prevents progress.

be precluded from

Implies that something is made impossible.

be excluded from

Focuses on being left out or not allowed to participate.

be kept from

A more general way to say that someone is not allowed to do something.

be dissuaded from

Highlights the act of persuading someone not to do something.

FAQs

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

Use "be prevented from" to indicate that someone or something is stopped from doing something. For example, "The public must "be prevented from" accessing the contaminated water supply".

What are some alternatives to "be prevented from"?

You can use alternatives such as "be stopped from", "be prohibited from", or "be restrained from" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "prevent someone to do something" instead of "be prevented from doing something"?

No, "prevent someone to do something" is incorrect. The correct structure is "prevent someone from doing something" or ""be prevented from" doing something".

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

"Be prevented from" implies a complete stop or inability to do something, while "be discouraged from" suggests that someone is persuaded not to do something, but still has the option.