explicitly forbidden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explicitly forbidden" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that something is clearly and specifically prohibited or not allowed. Example: It is explicitly forbidden to bring outside food and drinks into the theater. In this sentence, the use of "explicitly forbidden" emphasizes that the rule against bringing outside food and drinks is clearly stated and strictly enforced.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Same-sex marriage is explicitly forbidden in 38 states.

The New York Times - Books

Others had clearly collaborated, which their professor had explicitly forbidden.

The New York Times - Health

Animal abuse is explicitly forbidden in the Bible.

The Guardian

It should be explicitly forbidden to do so.

The Guardian - Opinion

Parents and others were explicitly forbidden from doing so.

The Guardian

By comparison, such practices are explicitly forbidden to members of the U.S. Congress.

The New York Times

And now the government has explicitly forbidden journalists to write about the military procurement process.

The New York Times

Those countries, including Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, strongly opposed language proposed by Syria that would have explicitly forbidden such assistance.

The New York Times

Mrs. Artiaco said the parents on her block had explicitly forbidden their children to play in the area.

The New York Times

The media, for example, are explicitly forbidden to show pictures that would enable the rebels to pinpoint Russian positions.

The New York Times

Reducing Greece's debt cannot be done by means of a classic debt haircut, which is explicitly forbidden under EU rules.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "explicitly forbidden" to clearly and directly communicate that something is not allowed, leaving no room for ambiguity. For example, "The use of personal devices is "explicitly forbidden" during the exam."

Common error

Don't assume that "explicitly forbidden" can be used interchangeably with situations that are 'implicitly forbidden'. "Explicitly forbidden" denotes a clear, direct prohibition, while 'implicitly forbidden' indicates a prohibition that is understood but not directly stated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explicitly forbidden" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun or action to indicate a clear and direct prohibition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it emphasizes the clarity of the prohibition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

18%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "explicitly forbidden" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a clear and direct prohibition. As Ludwig AI indicates, it means something is specifically prohibited. It's frequently found in news, academic and scientific contexts, signifying a formal tone suitable for unambiguous communication. When using "explicitly forbidden", ensure it reflects a prohibition that is directly stated, not merely implied. Alternative phrases like "strictly prohibited" or "expressly prohibited" can be used for variety, but "explicitly forbidden" emphasizes clarity and leaves no room for misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strictly prohibited

Uses a different adjective to emphasize the prohibition.

expressly prohibited

Employs a synonym for "explicitly" to highlight the clarity of the ban.

categorically banned

Replaces "forbidden" with "banned" and "explicitly" with "categorically" to denote a clear and decisive prohibition.

strictly banned

Uses "banned" instead of "forbidden", maintaining a high degree of semantic similarity.

absolutely prohibited

Replaces "explicitly" with "absolutely", intensifying the sense of prohibition.

totally outlawed

Uses "outlawed" instead of "forbidden", suggesting a more formal or legal prohibition.

expressly disallowed

Substitutes "prohibited" with "disallowed", slightly softening the tone while maintaining a clear sense of prohibition.

clearly restricted

Employs "restricted" to indicate a limitation or constraint, differing slightly from a complete ban.

definitely not allowed

Uses a more informal tone to convey the prohibition.

off-limits

An idiomatic expression indicating something is out of bounds or not permitted.

FAQs

How can I use "explicitly forbidden" in a sentence?

Use "explicitly forbidden" to state a clear and direct prohibition. For instance, "The contract "explicitly forbidden" the use of subcontractors without prior approval."

What are some alternatives to "explicitly forbidden"?

Alternatives include "strictly prohibited", "expressly prohibited", or "categorically banned". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

What is the difference between "explicitly forbidden" and "implicitly forbidden"?

"Explicitly forbidden" means something is directly and clearly prohibited, while "implicitly forbidden" means something is understood to be prohibited without being directly stated.

Is it redundant to say "explicitly forbidden"?

While "forbidden" already implies a prohibition, "explicitly forbidden" emphasizes the clarity and directness of the prohibition, leaving no room for misinterpretation. It's often used when you want to ensure there's no ambiguity.