be thwarted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be thwarted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is prevented from achieving a goal or objective. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the team's plans were ultimately to be thwarted by unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their intentions, however, may be thwarted.

The Economist

Not to be thwarted, I crossed town.

The New York Times

Desire exists to be thwarted.

The New Yorker

Can the extortionists ever be thwarted?

The Guardian - Books

They do not like to be thwarted.

The New Yorker

"It can be thwarted by unscrupulous employers".

The New York Times

But even D.D. could be thwarted.

The New York Times - Magazine

whether our work can be thwarted by those we oversee".

The New Yorker

And it can't be thwarted with military power alone.

The New York Times

Brown, it is plain, does not like to be thwarted.

The Guardian - Opinion

My fear is that these efforts will be thwarted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be thwarted" to describe situations where intentional efforts or plans are directly blocked or prevented from succeeding. The phrase suggests an active force working against the intended outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "be thwarted" when the failure is due to internal factors or lack of effort. The phrase implies an external force actively preventing success, not just a lack of achievement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be thwarted" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being prevented or stopped. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct and widely used. The examples show it describing actions that are actively stopped.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be thwarted" is a grammatically sound and common passive verb phrase used to describe the prevention of a plan or action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in scientific and formal business writing. While similar to phrases like "be prevented" and "be obstructed", it carries a stronger sense of active opposition. When using the phrase, ensure that the context involves an external force actively preventing the outcome, rather than simply a lack of success due to internal factors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be foiled

Implies a clever or strategic prevention of a plan or attempt, often used in scenarios involving adversaries.

be prevented

Focuses on the act of stopping something from happening, similar to thwarting but more direct.

be obstructed

Highlights the blocking or hindering aspect, suggesting an impediment to progress.

be hindered

Emphasizes the slowing down or impeding of progress, implying difficulty but not necessarily complete failure.

be frustrated

Highlights the feeling of disappointment and discouragement resulting from being prevented from achieving something.

be circumvented

Suggests that an obstacle has been avoided or bypassed, rather than directly overcome.

be defeated

Focuses on the ultimate failure of an effort or plan, suggesting a complete loss.

be undermined

Emphasizes the weakening or gradual destruction of something, leading to its eventual failure.

be overturned

Implies reversal or cancellation of a previous decision, plan, or outcome.

be nullified

Indicates that something has been rendered invalid or without legal force, effectively canceling its effect.

FAQs

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

The phrase "be thwarted" is used to describe a situation where something is prevented from happening or succeeding. For example, "The enemy's plans were to "be thwarted" by the brave soldiers".

What are some alternatives to "be thwarted"?

You can use alternatives like "be prevented", "be obstructed", or "be hindered" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "being thwarted"?

Yes, "being thwarted" is grammatically correct and can be used as a gerund or participle. For example, "Being thwarted repeatedly can be discouraging."

What's the difference between "be thwarted" and "be hindered"?

"Be thwarted" implies a more direct and forceful prevention, while "be hindered" suggests a slowing down or making more difficult. Thwarting is a more decisive action than hindering.