be restrained with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be restrained with" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of being limited or controlled by something, but the construction is awkward and unclear. Example: "He should be restrained with his spending habits to avoid financial issues."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

If varmint cannot be restrained with tongs and corn-on-the-cob holders, stand on it.

The New Yorker

At the very least, be restrained with how much you leave the faucet on.

The Washington Post

Symptoms can be restrained with drugs like Sinemet, but no cure has been found for the disease.

The New York Times

Stiffened panels were assumed to be restrained with SS1-type boundary condition or an elastic foundation of arbitrary stiffness.

Composite Structures

Inside the van, police said, Gray was irate, prompting the driver to pull over so he could be restrained with leg shackles.

The Washington Post

The regulations state that electric clippers are to be used and that the prisoner "may be restrained with the reasonable force necessary to administer the appropriate action".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

A five-minute struggle ensued before the man was restrained with plastic handcuffs.

The New York Times

They're also subjected to degrading and dangerous practices, such as being restrained with chains.

The Guardian

The coating's columnar crystals structure was restrained with the increase of C2H2/N2 partial pressure ratio.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Latin style was restrained, with epigrammatic antitheses, and the Roman church changed from Greek to Latin about 370 ce.

Britannica

Unlike the occasional white detainee, Aborigines were restrained with iron neck chains as well as leg chains.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to express limitation or control, opt for stronger and more grammatically accepted phrases like "be limited by" or "be controlled by".

Common error

Avoid using "be restrained with" in formal writing; it can sound awkward and is not considered standard English. Choose alternatives like "be limited by" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be restrained with" appears to function as a passive construction aiming to describe a state of limitation or control. However, as indicated by Ludwig AI, this construction is not grammatically correct in standard English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be restrained with" is considered grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not correct in standard written English. While the intention may be to convey limitation or control, it's advisable to use alternatives such as "be limited by", "be controlled by", or "be governed by" for clarity and grammatical accuracy. The absence of the phrase from authoritative sources further underscores the need to avoid it in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be limited by

Replaces "restrained with" to indicate a restriction or boundary.

be controlled by

Suggests a form of regulation or management.

be governed by

Indicates a set of rules or principles that dictate behavior.

be influenced by

Implies that something affects decisions or actions.

be moderated by

Suggests a degree of control to avoid extremes.

be tempered by

Indicates a modification of intensity or force.

be checked by

Implies that actions are verified and kept within bounds.

be constrained by

Highlights the presence of significant restrictions.

be subject to

Suggests vulnerability to certain influences or rules.

be dictated by

Indicates the presence of a decisive force.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "be restrained with"?

Consider using phrases like "be limited by", "be controlled by", or "be governed by" for clearer communication.

Is "be restrained with" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "be restrained with" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It is better to use alternative phrases.

In what contexts can I use "be limited by" instead of "be restrained with"?

You can use "be limited by" in most contexts where you want to express that something is restricted or bounded. This is a more grammatically sound option.

What are some formal alternatives to "be restrained with"?

Formal alternatives include phrases like "be subject to", "be governed by", or "be constrained by".