had been prohibited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been prohibited" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was not allowed or forbidden in the past, often in a context discussing rules or regulations. Example: "The use of plastic bags had been prohibited in the city for several years before the new law was enacted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

The report included something that prosecutors had been prohibited from presenting at trial: Jackson's juvenile record.

The New Yorker

When we met, Nozizwe had been prohibited from speaking about AIDS for more than a year.

The New Yorker

Irene favoured the restoration of the use of icons, which had been prohibited in 730.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The notorious 17-year-old rapper had been prohibited from using firearms under parole terms imposed on him in 2011.

The Guardian - Music

He first criticized Ms. Khan for not speaking alongside her husband, implying that she had been prohibited from doing so.

The New York Times

Spraying had been prohibited in those areas because of concern about the effect on aquatic creatures and wildlife.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

"Use of the chokehold has been prohibited" was changed to "Use of the chokehold is legal, but has been prohibited".

Independent

Sodomy has been prohibited in Louisiana since at least 1805.

The New York Times

But since 1994 China's provincial and municipal governments have been prohibited from borrowing.

The Economist

(Corporations have been prohibited from giving directly to federal candidates since the Tillman Act of 1907).

The New Yorker

Floating shoulder pads, oversize pants, protruding ribs on catching gloves and tentlike sweaters have been prohibited.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "forbidden" or "banned" to avoid repetition, especially in longer texts.

Common error

Avoid using "has been prohibited" when referring to a past event or situation that is no longer current. "Had been prohibited" correctly places the prohibition in the past relative to another past action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been prohibited" functions as a passive past perfect construction, indicating that an action (prohibiting) was completed before a specific point in the past. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

14%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had been prohibited" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something was forbidden before a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI validates this with numerous examples from reputable sources such as The New York Times and Encyclopedia Britannica. When writing, be mindful of the tense and ensure the context clearly defines who or what enforced the prohibition. To avoid repetition, consider using synonyms like "forbidden" or "banned". Remember, "had been prohibited" should be used when the prohibition occurred before another past event, distinguishing it from "has been prohibited", which indicates a current restriction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been forbidden

A more formal synonym for "prohibited", suggesting a strong and explicit ban.

had been banned

Implies a more general prohibition, often by law or regulation.

had been proscribed

A more formal and less common synonym for "prohibited".

had been disallowed

Suggests that something was not allowed or permitted, often in a specific instance.

had been ruled out

Indicates that something was excluded as a possibility or option.

had been restricted

Implies limitations or constraints were placed on something.

was not allowed

A more direct and simple way of saying something was not permitted.

was out of bounds

Suggests that something was beyond acceptable limits or boundaries.

was off limits

Similar to "out of bounds", indicating something was not accessible or permitted.

had been vetoed

Specifies that someone in authority rejected or prevented something.

FAQs

What is the difference between "had been prohibited" and "was prohibited"?

"Had been prohibited" indicates that the prohibition occurred before another event in the past, while "was prohibited" simply states that something was prohibited in the past without reference to another event. For example, "The sale of alcohol had been prohibited before the new law was passed" versus "The sale of alcohol was prohibited last year".

What are some synonyms for "had been prohibited"?

Some synonyms for "had been prohibited" include "had been forbidden", "had been banned", "had been disallowed", and "was not allowed". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

How can I use "had been prohibited" in a sentence?

You can use "had been prohibited" to describe a past restriction that was in place before another event. For example, "The use of leaded gasoline had been prohibited before stricter environmental regulations were implemented."

Is it correct to say "has been prohibited" instead of "had been prohibited"?

The choice between "has been prohibited" and "had been prohibited" depends on the context. "Has been prohibited" is used when the prohibition continues to the present, while "had been prohibited" refers to a prohibition that existed in the past but may no longer be in effect.