get stifled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get stifled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone feels suppressed or unable to express themselves freely. Example: "In a highly controlled environment, creativity can often get stifled, leading to a lack of innovation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

There are things like that that get stifled at birth and you wonder why they didn't happen.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There is a lot of rapid growth in one's twenties, but the big challenge is to keep that alive over the long stretch, for the next forty years, and not let it get stifled by the meanness of the world we live in".

The New Yorker

But the ambitions of aspiring journalists get stifled.

Forbes

So innovators can get stifled, even if they have superior products, interested physicians and FDA approval.

Forbes

Because, although Wilson probably won't be shedding a tear for Yahoo, it is not only small companies that get stifled in acquisitions.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

And the creativity, I think, just gets stifled.

The New York Times

Weak firms need to exit the market, either by going bust or being sold to another firm, or the whole business environment gets stifled.

The Economist

As Toby Flood, the 60-cap England fly-half playing for Toulouse in France, put it in a heartfelt conversation: "England played attacking, fearless rugby for the last 12 months but it seemed they got stifled and a little nervous and there were changes in selection that created questions.

Independent

And also to improve the quality of air that we and our children are breathing and to help unclog a city that is really getting stifled by the inability to get across town in the business day from one side to the other.

The New York Times

That's where the innovation gets stifled.

TechCrunch

Yet attempts to address a failed economic orthodoxy get oddly stifled, while the same orthodoxy tightens its tenacious grip more generally.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get stifled" when describing the process of something being actively suppressed or hindered, especially in creative or innovative contexts.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on passive constructions with "get stifled". Instead, consider active voice alternatives to make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "Innovation gets stifled by bureaucracy", try "Bureaucracy stifles innovation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get stifled" functions as a passive construction indicating that something is being actively suppressed or hindered. It's often used to describe the negative impact of external factors on creativity, innovation, or freedom of expression. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "get stifled" effectively conveys the idea of something being suppressed or hindered. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, often discussing the suppression of creativity or innovation. While generally neutral in tone, overuse of the passive voice should be avoided for more impactful writing. Alternative phrases like "be suppressed" or "be constrained" can offer nuance. Understanding these aspects will help you use "get stifled" and its alternatives more effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be suppressed

This alternative emphasizes a state of being controlled or held back.

be constrained

This alternative focuses on the limitation of freedom or activity.

be inhibited

This alternative implies a reduction in natural or spontaneous behavior.

be repressed

This alternative suggests a forceful suppression of thoughts or feelings.

be subdued

This alternative conveys a sense of being quieted or brought under control.

be curtailed

This alternative focuses on reducing or restricting something.

be checked

This alternative indicates a halt or restraint in progress or action.

be muffled

This alternative suggests a softening or silencing of something.

be smothered

This alternative emphasizes a complete covering or suppression.

be quelled

This alternative implies a forceful suppression or subduing.

FAQs

How can I use "get stifled" in a sentence?

"Get stifled" describes the action of something being suppressed or hindered. For example, "Creativity can "get stifled" in a rigid environment".

What are some alternatives to "get stifled"?

Alternatives include "be suppressed", "be constrained", or "be inhibited", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "is stifled" or "gets stifled"?

Both "is stifled" and "gets stifled" are grammatically correct, but "gets stifled" emphasizes the process of becoming stifled, whereas "is stifled" describes the state of being stifled.

How does "get stifled" differ from "become stifled"?

"Get stifled" and "become stifled" are largely interchangeable, both indicating a process of suppression. However, "get stifled" may sometimes imply a more abrupt or immediate stifling, while "become stifled" suggests a gradual process.