be restrained from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be restrained from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is being prevented from doing something or is being held back from an action. Example: "The committee decided that the members should be restrained from making any public statements until the investigation is complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jeblawi, bruised and dehydrated, has to be restrained from excitedly hugging every European she sees.

The Guardian

He rushed onto the court and had to be restrained from going after Grillo.

The New York Times - Sports

Piazza was ejected and had to be restrained from trying to argue further with Wegner.

The New York Times - Sports

News reports said that he had to be restrained from wrestling officials after the incident.

The New York Times - Sports

The conventional view was that perpetrators should be restrained from harming victims.

The New York Times

If, for once, Trump could be restrained from further Twitter self-immolation, who knew?

The New Yorker

Nor is it fair that they be restrained from industrial development when Western countries have profited immensely from that sector.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Barton had to be restrained from moving towards Mario Balotelli on the touchline before he finally headed down the tunnel.

The Guardian - Sport

Relatives should be restrained from bringing gifts, they said, and should ask for permission before picking up the baby.

The New York Times

Henry Ford visited backstage and had to be restrained from trying to ride on Nilsson's square-wheeled bicycle.

The New Yorker

They also demanded that the office should be restrained from issuing any carbon credits or approving any carbon trade project.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be restrained from" to clearly indicate that an external force or rule is preventing someone or something from acting in a particular way. This phrasing works well in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "be restrained from" when you mean someone is hesitant or unwilling due to their own feelings or lack of confidence. Use alternatives like "be inhibited from" or "be reluctant to" instead. For example, say "He was reluctant to speak his mind" rather than "He was restrained from speaking his mind" if the hesitation is internal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be restrained from" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone or something is being prevented or held back from performing a specific action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Examples show its use in legal, social, and physical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be restrained from" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that someone or something is being prevented from a particular action, as affirmed by Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and frequently appears across various contexts, including news, academia, and general writing. When writing, ensure you're conveying external limitations rather than internal hesitations. More formal options include phrases like "be prohibited from", but the core meaning remains consistent. The phrase serves to communicate that a barrier or restriction is actively influencing someone's behavior.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be prevented from

Focuses on the act of preventing, highlighting the external force causing the restraint.

be prohibited from

Implies a formal or legal ban, emphasizing the forbidden nature of the action.

be stopped from

Emphasizes the interruption or cessation of an action.

be banned from

Indicates a formal prohibition, often with legal or official backing.

be kept from

Suggests shielding someone from something, often implying protection or secrecy.

be barred from

Suggests exclusion or blockage from accessing something.

be dissuaded from

Highlights the act of persuading someone not to do something.

be discouraged from

Implies a lack of encouragement, making the action less appealing.

be withheld from

Implies that something is being kept secret or not given to someone.

be inhibited from

Focuses on internal restrictions or feelings of unease that prevent action.

FAQs

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

Use "be restrained from" to show that someone or something is being prevented from doing something by an external force or rule. For instance, "The defendant was "prohibited from" contacting the victim."

What's the difference between "be restrained from" and "be restricted from"?

"Be restrained from" and "be "restricted from"" are very similar, but "restrained" often implies a more immediate or forceful prevention, while "restricted" can suggest a broader limitation.

Are there formal alternatives to "be restrained from"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "be "prohibited from"", "be enjoined from", or "be precluded from", all indicating a formal or legal restriction.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "be restrained from"?

It's appropriate when discussing rules, regulations, or interventions that actively prevent someone from taking a specific action. It suits contexts where there's an explicit barrier, such as a legal order or physical intervention.