being restrained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being restrained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone or something is being held back or limited in some way, either physically or metaphorically. Example: "The suspect was being restrained by the police to prevent any further escalation of the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I felt I was being restrained.

The New York Times - Sports

She was being restrained and properly taken care of.

Cornell University

Pay, gradually, does seem to be being restrained.

The Economist

Forty-five committed suicide and the other five died after being restrained by officers.

Independent

In one case, a man died soon after being restrained by 11 officers in hospital.

Independent

Months earlier, 15 year-old Gareth Myatt died of asphyxiation after being restrained at Rainsbrook STC.

Independent

Finders Key, playing a young Seabiscuit, rears up despite being restrained by two handlers with ropes.

The New York Times - Sports

Cossacks, are also volunteering, though they complain about being restrained by Moscow.

The New York Times

In 2010, Jimmy Mubenga died on a deportation flight while being restrained by security guards.

The Guardian - Opinion

G4S says it has no record of Moss being restrained at this time.

The Guardian

Douglas died in December 1995 at Brixton police station, south London, after being restrained.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts, ensure the subject "being restrained" is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, clarify what exactly is "being restrained"—is it progress, freedom, or creativity?

Common error

Avoid using "being restrained" excessively in passive constructions, which can weaken your writing. Instead, consider active voice alternatives to make your sentences more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being restrained" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of restraint. Ludwig AI examples show it used in contexts ranging from physical restraint by authorities to abstract limitations on personal expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

18%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being restrained" is a commonly used passive construction that indicates a state of limitation or control. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it appears most frequently in news and media, with applications ranging from physical restriction to abstract constraints. While grammatically correct, careful consideration should be given to using the active voice for more direct communication. When employing "being restrained", ensure the subject of the restraint is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being held back

Focuses on the idea of progress or movement being impeded.

being kept in check

Emphasizes the maintenance of control and prevention of undesirable actions.

being constrained

Highlights limitations imposed by external factors or circumstances.

being curbed

Suggests a reduction or limitation in activity or expression.

being suppressed

Implies a forceful prevention of expression or action.

being inhibited

Focuses on internal psychological or emotional barriers.

being checked

Highlights a pause or halt in progression.

being regulated

Emphasizes control through rules or laws.

being governed

Indicates control through leadership or authority.

being policed

Focuses on the idea of surveillance and order maintenance by an external authority.

FAQs

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

You can use "being restrained" to describe a state of limitation or control, such as "The suspect was "being restrained" by police" or "Her creativity felt like it was "being restrained" by the rigid rules".

What are some alternatives to "being restrained"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "being held back", "being constrained", or "being curbed".

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "being restrained"?

While "being restrained" is a passive construction, consider using the active voice for more direct and impactful writing. For instance, instead of "The prisoner was "being restrained" by the guards", try "The guards restrained the prisoner".

In what contexts is "being restrained" most appropriate?

"Being restrained" is appropriate when emphasizing the state of limitation or control, particularly when the actor is less important than the action itself. It's often used in legal, medical, and social contexts.