hard to prohibit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to prohibit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is difficult to ban or restrict due to various factors, such as practicality or legality. Example: "Certain behaviors are hard to prohibit, especially when they are deeply ingrained in culture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

When Congress was debating legislation to give the president the right to negotiate trade deals and subject them only to a simple up or down vote in Congress, some lawmakers pressed hard to prohibit American negotiators from even discussing concessions on dumping.

The New York Times

There are, of course, an infinite number of ways to "waste" water and it is hard to prohibit all of them.

Huffington Post

First, tobacco is a global product that will be hard to prohibit, for even when substances are prohibited, they continue to be widely used, as is the case with many illicit drugs.

Global Health Action

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

She rejected the suggestion that it might be hard to identify prohibited behavior.

The New York Times

"I have long advocated breaking the link between soft and hard drugs – by legalising cannabis while continuing to prohibit hard drugs," said Lilley.

The Guardian

There also have been proposals to prohibit the sale of hard liquors in the regions with the highest rates of alcoholism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mrs. Clinton demurred, but the two sides later reached an informal agreement to prohibit any spending, including hard or soft money, on commercials by entities other than the two campaigns.

The New York Times

Based on this hard data, the agency has released a proposal that would to prohibit companies from banning class action lawsuits, or in their words, "ban companies from using arbitration clauses as a free pass to avoid accountability".

Huffington Post

If PII is so hard to protect, then the only way for social networks to protect their users' privacy must be to prohibit partners from accessing contact information in the first place.

TechCrunch

Both advised him to prohibit the signs.

The New York Times

If not, how to prohibit land grab?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard to prohibit", consider the specific reasons why something is difficult to prohibit. Providing context strengthens your argument and clarifies your meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to prohibit" as a blanket statement. Instead, specify the factors that make prohibition difficult, such as cultural norms, practical limitations, or legal challenges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to prohibit" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating the degree of difficulty associated with preventing or forbidding something. It typically appears in sentences discussing rules, regulations, or social norms. Ludwig confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to prohibit" is a valid English phrase used to describe the difficulty in preventing or banning something. Ludwig's analysis reveals that while grammatically correct, the phrase is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, be specific about why something is difficult to prohibit to enhance clarity. Consider alternatives like "difficult to prevent" or "challenging to restrict" depending on the nuances you wish to convey. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable and understandable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to prevent

Focuses on the difficulty in stopping something from happening.

challenging to restrict

Highlights the demanding nature of imposing limitations.

tough to ban

Emphasizes the obstacle involved in officially forbidding something.

not easily prevented

Shifts the focus to the lack of ease in preventing something.

hard to control

Indicates difficulty in managing or regulating something.

difficult to suppress

Highlights the challenge in containing or quelling something.

not simple to outlaw

Emphasizes the complexity of legally prohibiting something.

arduous to impede

Focuses on the strenuous effort required to hinder something.

onerous to curtail

Highlights the burdensome nature of reducing something.

complex to regulate

Indicates the intricate nature of managing or governing something.

FAQs

What does "hard to prohibit" mean?

The phrase "hard to prohibit" means that something is difficult to forbid or prevent, often due to practical, legal, or social reasons. It suggests that attempts to restrict or ban the thing in question would face significant challenges.

What are some alternatives to "hard to prohibit"?

Alternatives include "difficult to prevent", "challenging to restrict", or "tough to ban". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How can I use "hard to prohibit" in a sentence?

Example: "Certain behaviors are hard to prohibit, especially when they are deeply ingrained in culture." Another example: "It's hard to prohibit the spread of misinformation on the internet."

What makes something "hard to prohibit"?

Factors can include strong cultural acceptance, lack of effective enforcement mechanisms, legal protections, or widespread availability of the thing being prohibited. The difficulty often stems from a combination of these elements.