be restricted by

USAGE SUMMARY

"be restricted by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to talk about something being limited or hindered by something else. For example, "The project's progress was restricted by the lack of resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Would Mané be restricted by Louis van Gaal's straitjacket football?

The Guardian - Sport

But my works cannot be restricted by political parties".

The Guardian - Books

"He who has principles and a mission cannot be restricted by his potentials.

The Guardian

"A woman's access to health care shouldn't be restricted by an employer's religion".

The New York Times

Yet he does not want to be restricted by a new solidifying of roles.

The New York Times - Sports

Further Questions for Discussion: –Should the use of fireworks be restricted by law?

The New York Times

Don't be restricted by the dispute forms that the bureaus recommend you use.

The New York Times

This summer, player movement may be restricted by a sagging economy, which will probably result in a shrinking payroll.

The New York Times - Sports

I don't feel you should be restricted by one particular medium.

Independent

With the current drought conditions, watering is even more important, though it can be restricted by the authorities.

The New York Times

London's Royal Parks, however, said that generally, hoverboards aren't banned but may be restricted by signage in certain areas.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be restricted by", clearly state what is doing the restricting to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be restricted by" when you actually mean "influenced by" or "affected by", as the former implies a more significant limitation than the latter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be restricted by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject is being limited or controlled by an external factor. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

59%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be restricted by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that indicates limitation or control. Ludwig AI confirms it’s suitable for written English. It appears most often in News & Media and Science contexts, reflecting its versatility. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to clearly identify the restricting factor. Related phrases like "be confined by" or "be limited by" offer alternative ways to express similar ideas. Be mindful not to confuse it with phrases like "be influenced by", which suggests a softer impact. This phrase is a valuable tool for clearly communicating constraints and limitations in various forms of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be confined by

This alternative suggests a limitation to a specific area or scope, similar to being restricted.

be constrained by

This phrase emphasizes limitations imposed by external factors, akin to being restricted.

be limited by

This option uses a more direct synonym for 'restricted', focusing on the finite aspect of something.

be hampered by

This suggests that progress or function is made difficult by something, implying restriction.

be impeded by

This highlights the obstruction or hindrance caused by something, similar to a restriction.

be curtailed by

This emphasizes the shortening or cutting back effect of something acting as a restriction.

be governed by

Suggests control and limitations set by rules, rather than external restrictions.

be regulated by

This implies limitations set by formal rules or laws.

be determined by

This focuses on the aspect of causation or influence instead of direct restriction.

be influenced by

This indicates a less forceful impact where something is affected but not necessarily restricted.

FAQs

How can I use "be restricted by" in a sentence?

Use "be restricted by" to indicate that something is limited or controlled by something else. For example, "The project's budget will "be restricted by" available funding."

What phrases are similar to "be restricted by"?

Similar phrases include "be confined by", "be constrained by", and "be limited by", all of which suggest some form of limitation or control.

When is it appropriate to use "be restricted by"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that something's scope, movement, or capabilities are being directly limited due to a specific factor. For instance, "Access to the data might "be restricted by" security protocols."

Is there a difference between "be restricted by" and "be influenced by"?

"Be restricted by" implies a hard limit or control, while "be influenced by" suggests a softer effect or persuasion. The former means the factor prevents something, the latter means the factor shapes it. An example: "The decision was "be influenced by" public opinion, but it wasn't "be restricted by" it."