be restrained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be restrained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to exercise self-control or to limit their actions or emotions in a particular situation. Example: "In discussions, it is important to be restrained and listen to others' opinions before responding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She had to be restrained.

The New York Times

Talib had to be restrained.

The New York Times - Sports

Borel had to be restrained.

The New York Times - Sports

Spending must be restrained.

The New York Times

I had to be restrained.

The Washington Post

Did he have to be restrained?

The New York Times

Democrats should be restrained in their reaction.

The Washington Post

The New York City Police Department needs to be restrained.

The New York Times

But I didn't want to be restrained.

The New York Times - Arts

A right not to be restrained by injunction.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Banks, and especially the big banks, need to be restrained".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "be restrained", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the restraining and the reason for the restraint. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

A common error is omitting the agent performing the action. For example, instead of just saying, "Emotions should be restrained", specify "Emotions should be restrained by careful consideration of the circumstances." Adding the agent (even if implied) provides a fuller understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be restrained" functions primarily as part of a passive verb construction. This indicates that the subject is receiving the action of being controlled or limited, rather than performing it. Ludwig AI shows many instances in which actions or emotions require control.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

23%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be restrained" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction, signifying the act of being controlled or limited. According to Ludwig AI, its use spans across diverse fields such as news, science, and academia, indicating its versatility and widespread applicability. While the phrase is generally neutral, attention should be paid to the context in which it is used. To ensure clarity, it's helpful to specify who or what is imposing the restraint and the reasons behind it, and also consider the alternatives be controlled, be held back, or be limited.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be controlled

This alternative is a direct synonym, focusing on the act of being under control.

Be restricted

This alternative highlights the imposition of limits or boundaries.

Be kept in check

This alternative emphasizes maintaining something within acceptable bounds.

Be contained

This alternative emphasizes preventing something from spreading or escalating.

Be limited

This alternative refers to establish a restriction for something

Be held back

This alternative focuses on preventing progress or expression.

Be regulated

This alternative specifies control through rules or laws.

Be curbed

This alternative is more frequently used when talking about containing undesirable activities.

Be bridled

This alternative implies a forceful controlling in behavior.

Be suppressed

This alternative refers to the act of forcibly stopping something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "be restrained" indicates a state of being controlled or limited. For example, "Spending must "be restrained" to balance the budget", or "He had to "be restrained" from lashing out in anger".

What are some alternatives to "be restrained"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "be controlled", "be held back", or "be limited" as alternatives to "be restrained".

Which is correct, "be restrained" or "being restrained"?

"Be restrained" is typically used in passive voice constructions, while "being restrained" is used in continuous tenses or as a gerund. For example, "He needs to be restrained" versus "He is being restrained by the police".

What is the difference between "be restrained" and "be restricted"?

While both imply limitations, ""be restrained"" often suggests self-control or control of emotions or actions, whereas "be restricted" typically refers to external limits or rules imposed on something.