does not prohibit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does not prohibit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal, formal, or policy contexts to indicate that something is allowed or not restricted by a rule or regulation. Example: "The new policy does not prohibit employees from working remotely on Fridays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(The tribunal does not prohibit double jeopardy).

The New Yorker

The Fourteenth Amendment does not prohibit it.

Cornell University

"It certainly does not prohibit pilings.

The New York Times

Luckily, Albanian law does not prohibit fishing under the influence.

The New York Times

"Texas law does not prohibit the carrying of long guns".

The New York Times

The Constitution does not prohibit special laws inflexibly and always.

Cornell University

But the law does not prohibit any speech.

The New York Times

It does not prohibit some of the most speculative genres of Wall Street trading.

The New York Times

And it does not prohibit federal employees from reading news stories about the topic.

The New York Times

And federal law does not prohibit the return of earrings, underwear, bathing suits and similar items.

The New York Times

"My contract does not prohibit me from endorsing, thank goodness," Ms. Palin said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger alternatives like "permits" or "allows" when aiming for a more affirmative tone, as "does not prohibit" can sometimes sound hesitant or indirect.

Common error

Don't assume that "does not prohibit" implies endorsement or encouragement. It simply means something isn't explicitly forbidden. Be clear if further approval or support is needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not prohibit" functions as a negative constraint, indicating the absence of a prohibition or restriction. This construction is frequently used in legal, formal, and policy contexts to clarify that a particular action or behavior is permitted because it is not explicitly forbidden. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

32%

Science

26%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "does not prohibit" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the absence of a prohibition. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to grant permission by clarifying that an action is not explicitly forbidden. Predominantly found in formal contexts like legal documents, academic papers, and policy statements, the phrase is suitable when precision is paramount. While alternative phrases like "is permitted" or "is allowed" exist, "does not prohibit" is most appropriate when emphasizing the lack of restriction. It's important to note that while the phrase indicates permission, it does not imply endorsement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not forbidden

A more formal and emphatic way of saying something is allowed.

is not against the law

Specifically states that something doesn't violate legal rules.

is not restricted

Focuses on the lack of limitations rather than a direct prohibition.

is permitted

Replaces the negative construction with a positive statement of permission.

is allowed

Similar to "is permitted", but can be slightly more informal.

is not prevented

Emphasizes the absence of obstacles or hindrances.

is acceptable

Indicates something meets the required standards or conditions.

is within the bounds of

Indicates actions are within certain limits or regulations.

is tolerated

Suggests something is allowed despite potential objections.

faces no constraints

Highlights the absence of restrictive influences.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "does not prohibit" for a more positive tone?

Instead of "does not prohibit", consider using phrases like "is permitted", "is allowed", or "authorizes" to convey a more affirmative sense of permission.

Is "does not prohibit" the same as "encourages"?

No, "does not prohibit" simply means something is not forbidden. It does not imply support or encouragement. "Encourages" suggests active endorsement, which is a much stronger stance.

When is it best to use "does not prohibit" over alternatives?

Use "does not prohibit" when you want to emphasize the absence of a specific restriction, particularly in legal or policy contexts. It's useful when you need to clarify that something is not explicitly banned, without necessarily endorsing it.

What's the difference between "does not prohibit" and "fails to ban"?

"Does not prohibit" is a neutral statement indicating a lack of restriction. "Fails to ban" implies an attempt or expectation of prohibition that was not achieved, carrying a potentially critical connotation.