forbidden

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'forbidden' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that is not allowed or an area or activity that is off-limits. For example, "The sign at the entrance said 'Forbidden Area', so we knew we weren't allowed to enter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (192 pages): Bradbury's classic dystopia about a future society where books are forbidden.

The Guardian - Books

They wanted what it is forbidden to wise people to take unto themselves.

The Guardian - Tech

Unless a caddie is packing a player's bags – on "cut day" or at the conclusion of the tournament – caddies are forbidden from entering the clubhouse.

The Guardian - Sport

Fox even aired a map of Paris that purported to outline the forbidden zones in neighborhoods including Belleville, Barbès and Père-Lachaise.

The Guardian

Heavy rolling was forbidden during matches a couple of years ago, much to the chagrin of batsmen up and down the land.

The Guardian - Sport

The road to Mecca funnels traffic into two lanes: the one marked "Muslims only" goes to the holy city; the other, marked "Non Muslims", bypasses it, since the latter – me included – are forbidden entry to Mecca (and Medina) under Saudi law.

The Guardian - Arts

Tilos Rádió ("tilos" means forbidden in Hungarian) is a non-profit, independent, radio station.

The Guardian

He began regularly dictating entries into his forbidden phone, and sneaking random paragraphs into voluminous love letters, while Alex did the editing and posting.

The Guardian

A number of universities have banned timepieces, fearing new smartwatches could enable students to access forbidden materials.

The Guardian

There are stories about them marauding around the Commons, colonising the bars, being "chippy and confrontational", feasting on chips and sweets (Mhairi Black), taking forbidden selfies at the PM's dispatch box (you know who you are, Roger Mullin) and generally whooping it up.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nuts, cream, butter and foods high in fat are encouraged while bread, pasta, sugar and grains are all forbidden.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "forbidden" to indicate a clear and explicit prohibition, whether formal or informal. Ensure the context makes the nature and source of the prohibition clear.

Common error

Avoid using "forbidden" in very casual conversations where simpler terms like "not allowed" or "off limits" might be more appropriate. Overusing it can make your language sound overly formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The word "forbidden" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something is not allowed or is prohibited. It can also act as a past participle of the verb 'forbid'. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "forbidden" is a versatile adjective used to denote something that is not allowed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral, it leans toward formality. For more casual settings, synonyms like "not allowed" or "off limits" might be more suitable. Remember that "forbidden" carries a strong connotation of prohibition, so use it judiciously to maintain clarity and avoid unnecessary formality. Examples from Ludwig highlight its consistent application across various authoritative sources, underscoring its reliability in formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prohibited

Indicates a formal ban or legal restriction.

banned

Implies an official or authoritative prohibition.

not allowed

A more general and less formal way of expressing that something is not permitted.

off-limits

Suggests a restriction from entering or using a particular place or thing.

out of bounds

Similar to "off-limits" but often used in sports or gaming contexts.

verboten

A German loanword that emphasizes a strong prohibition, often in a humorous way.

proscribed

A more formal and somewhat archaic synonym for "prohibited".

taboo

Refers to something that is culturally or socially unacceptable.

impermissible

Emphasizes that something is not permissible or allowable.

restricted

Indicates limitations or constraints on access or use.

FAQs

How is "forbidden" different from "prohibited"?

"Forbidden" is a more general term indicating something is not allowed. "Prohibited" /s/prohibited usually implies a formal ban by a law or rule.

What are some alternatives to using "forbidden"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "banned", "not allowed", or "off limits".

Is it grammatically correct to say "that is forbidden"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Forbidden" functions as an adjective in this context, describing what "that" is.

Can "forbidden" be used in a positive way?

While "forbidden" primarily has negative connotations, it can sometimes be used to create intrigue or allure, suggesting something is desirable precisely because it's restricted. Such use is rare and depends heavily on context.