forbids

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forbids" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone or something prohibits an action or behavior. Example: "The school forbids students from using their phones during class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is estimated that 70% of prisoners in France are Muslim, though no one really knows – French law forbids defining people by religion or ethnicity.

The Guardian

"The party has a basic rule that forbids fighting anyone other than Israel and thus it bans its elements from fighting in Syria," Rifai, who belongs to Loyalty to the Resistance bloc, told the Daily Star.

The Guardian

Hence, inspectors found schools doing extremist-y things, such as not having a tombola at a fete and using a bank account that doesn't accumulate interest – Islam forbids both.

The Guardian

Since the law forbids anybody to help him kill himself, he has made the necessary preparations to take his own life.

The Guardian

He noted that the EU's charter of fundamental rights "forbids the death penalty".

The Guardian

Among the many clauses written into Mario Balotelli's Milan contract is one that forbids him from go-karting, a safeguard presumably inserted to prevent the player from doing himself a mischief on his days off.

The Guardian - Sport

While Section 702 forbids the intentional targeting of Americans or people inside the United States – a practice known as "reverse targeting" – significant amounts of Americans' phone calls and emails are swept up in the process of collection.

The Guardian

He has monthly health checks, insists on condoms – even for oral sex – and forbids people from tying him up.

The Guardian

Gina forbids merely asking for genetic information.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just how he was replaced, and where he has gone, tact forbids you to inquireGroaning, you pay up this time.

The Economist

Arkansas forbids this, arguing that a beard could be used to hide drugs, blades or telephone SIM cards.Mr Holt, who was jailed for breaking into his ex-girlfriend's house and slitting her throat, says he is in a "state of war" with the prison barber.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "forbids", ensure the subject clearly identifies who or what is doing the forbidding and the object specifies what action or behavior is being forbidden for clear understanding.

Common error

Avoid vague statements about what "forbids". Always specify clearly the exact action or behavior that is prohibited to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

Forbids functions as a verb indicating prohibition or the act of not allowing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is grammatically sound. It shows that something with authority or power is disallowing or preventing an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "forbids" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb that denotes the act of prohibiting or disallowing something. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage. It is most commonly found in news and media, as well as in formal and business contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using "forbids", clarity is key: specify the subject doing the forbidding and the exact action being prohibited to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "prohibits" or "bans" to vary your vocabulary. The frequent usage and authoritative sources, such as The Economist and The Guardian, support its validity and relevance in various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prohibits

A direct synonym indicating a formal prohibition.

bans

Similar to "forbids" but can also apply to informal contexts.

precludes

Suggests something is made impossible, often due to a specific condition.

prevents

Indicates stopping something from happening.

disallows

Implies a lack of permission or authorization.

rules out

Indicates that something is not a possibility or option.

interdicts

A more formal synonym for forbidding, often used in legal contexts.

proscribes

Formally condemns or prohibits.

restricts

Limits or controls something, effectively forbidding certain aspects of it.

negates

Renders something ineffective or invalid, indirectly forbidding its application.

FAQs

How is "forbids" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "forbids" is used to indicate that a rule, law, or authority prohibits a certain action. For example, "The law forbids drinking alcohol in public places."

What are some alternatives to using "forbids"?

You can use alternatives like "prohibits", "bans", or "disallows" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "forbids" and "prevents"?

"Forbids" implies an authoritative prohibition, while "prevents" means stopping something from happening, not necessarily through a formal rule. One might say, "The sign forbids swimming", while "The rain prevents the match from happening."

Is "forbids" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "forbids" is suitable for formal writing, especially in legal, official, or academic contexts, where clarity and authority are important. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its use in reputable news sources and academic papers.