be prohibited

USAGE SUMMARY

"be prohibited" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where something is not allowed or is forbidden. Example: "All forms of smoking are to be prohibited on the premises." Alternative expressions include "be banned" and "be forbidden."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Dancing should be prohibited.

The New York Times

"That should equally be prohibited.

The New York Times

Building will be prohibited.

The New York Times - Science

They should be prohibited and swiftly punished.

The New York Times

Use by home gardeners will be prohibited.

The New York Times

Black is to be prohibited.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But this affordance could be prohibited.

The Guardian - Tech

Should some additives be prohibited entirely?

The New York Times - Health

The carrying of concealed weapons can be prohibited.

The New York Times

She may even be prohibited from doing so.

The New York Times

But that would be prohibited under foreign ownership laws.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be prohibited" in formal writing to clearly and authoritatively state that something is forbidden or not allowed.

Common error

Avoid using active voice when passive voice is more appropriate. For instance, instead of "The law prohibits...", correctly use "...is to be prohibited by the law".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be prohibited" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject is the recipient of an action that forbids or disallows something, as supported by examples found in Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be prohibited" serves to formally express that something is not allowed, often by rule or law. As Ludwig AI confirms, this passive verb phrase is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While the phrase enjoys widespread use, writers should avoid common mistakes such as using the active voice where the passive is more appropriate. Related phrases include "be forbidden" and "be disallowed", which can be used as alternatives depending on the specific context. Overall, "be prohibited" is a valuable phrase for clearly stating restrictions in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be forbidden

Direct synonym, indicating a lack of permission or allowance.

be not allowed

A more direct and straightforward way of saying something is prohibited.

be banned

Indicates an official prohibition, often with legal or regulatory backing.

be disallowed

Implies a formal refusal or rejection of something.

be proscribed

Suggests a strong, often formal, condemnation and ban.

be impermissible

Highlights that something is not permissible or allowable.

be restricted

Indicates limitations or constraints placed upon something.

be off-limits

Similar to 'out of bounds', indicating a specific restriction on access or use.

be ruled out

Indicates that something has been officially deemed impossible or unacceptable.

be out of bounds

Implies that something is beyond the limits of what is acceptable or permitted.

FAQs

What does "be prohibited" mean?

The phrase "be prohibited" means that something is not allowed or is forbidden, typically by a rule, law, or authority.

What are some synonyms for "be prohibited"?

Synonyms for "be prohibited" include "be forbidden", "be banned", "be disallowed", and "be restricted".

How can I use "be prohibited" in a sentence?

You can use "be prohibited" to indicate that an action or object is not allowed, such as "Smoking is to "be prohibited" in this area" or "Certain activities are to "be prohibited" on school grounds".

Is "be prohibited" formal or informal?

"Be prohibited" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for legal, official, or academic writing. In more casual contexts, phrases like "not allowed" might be preferred.