constrain him

USAGE SUMMARY

'constrain him' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when you want to indicate someone is being prevented from doing something, usually in a negative and restricting way. For example, "The limits of the budget constrained him from buying all of the supplies he needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Kim Il Sung of N. Korea to attack, rather than constrain him.

The New Yorker

No hardliners in his ruling coalition would constrain him, he vowed.

The Economist

The House Republican leaders tell their dubious members that they are supporting Obama only in order to "constrain" him.

The New Yorker

Mr. Geithner, say people familiar with the exchange, cautioned that the crisis Mr. Obama had inherited was so severe that it would constrain him.

The New York Times

Although he will have a Republican-controlled Congress to smooth his policy path, constitutional and other checks are likely to constrain him from impulsive adventurism.

The Guardian - Opinion

We don't like what he's saying because it offends our intuitions about what is fair and what is just, so we try to physically constrain him from doing so.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Other people's rules constrained him.

The New York Times

The picture's frame constrains him.

Independent

The Constitution constrained him from candor.

The New York Times

Perhaps that's why he wrote in prose; the pentameter would undoubtedly have constrained him.

The New Yorker

But his role as chairman of the budget committee constrains him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "constrain him" when you want to emphasize the imposition of external limitations on someone's actions or freedom. It suggests a deliberate effort to restrict or control the individual.

Common error

Avoid using "constrain him" when you simply mean to advise or suggest an action. "Constrain" implies a stronger, more forceful limitation than mere suggestion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "constrain him" functions as a verb phrase where "constrain" is a transitive verb taking "him" as its direct object. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and indicates preventing someone from doing something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "constrain him" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate the act of limiting someone's actions or freedom. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase serves to communicate external restrictions imposed upon an individual. While alternatives like "restrict him" or "limit him" offer nuanced variations, "constrain him" effectively conveys the sense of imposed limitation across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

restrict him

Focuses on setting boundaries or limits on his actions.

limit him

Emphasizes reducing the extent or degree of his capabilities or options.

hinder him

Highlights the act of making it difficult for him to proceed or succeed.

impede him

Stresses the obstruction of his progress.

restrain him

Implies holding him back, often physically or emotionally.

curb him

Suggests controlling or checking his actions or impulses.

check him

Highlights monitoring his actions to prevent undesirable behavior.

inhibit him

Focuses on suppressing or preventing his natural impulses or expressions.

hold him back

Emphasizes preventing his advancement or progress.

keep him in check

Stresses maintaining control over his behavior or actions.

FAQs

How to use "constrain him" in a sentence?

You can use "constrain him" to show how someone's actions or choices are limited by external factors. For example, "The budget cuts will constrain him from hiring new staff."

What can I say instead of "constrain him"?

You can use alternatives like "restrict him", "limit him", or "hinder him" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "constrain him" or "constrain for him"?

"Constrain him" is the correct phrasing. The verb "constrain" directly acts upon the object, "him", without needing the preposition "for".

What's the difference between "constrain him" and "restrain him"?

"Constrain him" often refers to limiting someone's options or abilities, while "restrain him" often implies physically or emotionally holding someone back. The choice depends on the specific type of limitation being imposed.