blocked

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "blocked" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to something or someone that is blocked, stopped, or prevented from progress or movement. For example: "The road was blocked due to an accident, so we had to take a different route."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The perils of crashing are obvious, but being trapped behind a crash when the road is blocked with bodies and bikes is equally perturbing.

The Guardian - Sport

Nilsen was caught after plumbers found a blocked drain choked with human flesh.

The Guardian

An American couple cleared by a Qatari appeals court of wrongdoing in the death of their eight-year-old adopted daughter but blocked from leaving the country held out hope on Monday that they would soon be allowed to leave the tiny Gulf nation, as a family representative blasted a continued travel ban against them as "institutional kidnapping".

The Guardian

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 11.07pm BST23 07 ET10: Djabou gets his first touch, being put into space down by the corner flag by his fellow substitute Brahimi, then winning a corner when his cross his blocked.

The Guardian - Sport

Hay fever can be horrible for children (runny noses aren't fun, and a blocked nose disrupts sleep), especially at exam time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Changes to unemployment benefits AKA "earn or learn" – blocked and sidelined Unemployed people under 30 would only be able to claim Newstart or Youth Allowance for six months of the year, and would have to take part in 25 hours a week of work-for-the dole programs if not studying or training.

The Guardian

The legislation remains blocked but the health minister, Sussan Ley, has just instigated a review which would remove free over-the-counter medications such as painkillers and antacids for pensioners and concession card holders under the safety net.

The Guardian

The Senate blocked the billso the government introduced it by regulation.

The Guardian

So worried was the BBC about contravening the rules that even Thought for the Day was blocked.

The Guardian

In March, the media watchdog blocked three opposition news portals and the LiveJournal blog of opposition leader and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny, who specialises in exposés on the luxurious real estate owned by prominent officials, replete with documents and photographs.

The Guardian

Had Harding sought out the independent directors they could theoretically have blocked him from being sacked – but it is not clear how any editor of the Times or Sunday Times could function without the support of the proprietor.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To describe an action prevented or stopped, consider using "blocked" to describe an action that was prevented or stopped. Example: "The bill was blocked by the Senate."

Common error

Avoid misspelling "blocked" as "bloked". Always double-check the spelling, especially in formal writing. "Blocked" means obstructed or prevented, while "bloked" is not a recognized word.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "blocked" is as a past participle or adjective. As a past participle, it often forms passive voice constructions, such as "The road was blocked". As an adjective, it describes something that is obstructed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "blocked" is a versatile term used as both a past participle and an adjective, primarily to describe a state of obstruction or prevention. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and common in English writing. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Sports, and Lifestyle contexts, indicating its broad applicability across different domains. While synonymous with words like "obstructed" or "prevented", "blocked" carries a slightly more informal tone. When writing, ensure correct spelling (avoid "bloked") and choose the most appropriate synonym based on the formality of the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obstructed

Similar meaning, often refers to physical impediments or hindrances.

impeded

Indicates a slowing down or hindering of progress or action.

prevented

Focuses on stopping something from happening or progressing.

obstructed view

Specifically refers to a situation where sight is impaired.

halted

Suggests a sudden or abrupt stop to movement or progress.

closed off

Implies a complete physical or metaphorical barrier.

shut off

Used to describe something that has been stopped or disconnected.

barricaded

Indicates a fortified obstruction, often temporary or improvised.

plugged

Emphasizes filling a hole or passage to prevent flow.

occluded

A more formal term for blocking a passage or view, often in medical or scientific contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "blocked" in a sentence?

You can use "blocked" to describe something physically obstructed, like "The road was blocked." or metaphorically, like "His promotion was blocked by management".

What's a more formal synonym for "blocked"?

Formal synonyms for "blocked" include "obstructed", "impeded", or "prevented", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something's "blocked off"?

Yes, "blocked off" is a common phrasal verb meaning to obstruct or close something, such as "The street was "blocked off" for the parade".

What are some alternative ways to say something was "blocked" in a vote?

Instead of saying something was "blocked" in a vote, you could say it was "rejected", "defeated", or "vetoed", depending on the specific voting process.