have been constrained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been constrained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has been limited or restricted in some way over a period of time. Example: "Due to budget cuts, our resources have been constrained, making it difficult to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dealers say that sales have been constrained based on availability.

The New York Times

In part, Nelson may have been constrained by the nature of Daisy, the film's heroine.

The New Yorker

In contrast to our understanding of macrofaunal foraging strategies, we have been constrained in identifying consistent search patterns of microbes.

Nature

In the first decade of attosecond science, experiments have been constrained by the low intensity of available attosecond pulses.

Nature

But in the last few years their budgets have been constrained while the private sector has made tremendous technical progress.

MIT Technology Review

In particular, they are sensitive to pay packets in the City, which have been constrained recently by regulation and restructurings.

The Economist

However, population genetics studies of nematodes have been constrained due to the difficulty in sampling nematodes and developing molecular markers.

Trends in Parasitology

Most studies of these signaling networks have been constrained by the need to focus on a single enzyme or phosphorylation site.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

As described in Russell, Barrios & Andrews (2016), past attempts to understand the sports economy have been constrained by a number of data limitations.

Harvard University

But they have been constrained by the so-called peace lines that have marked turf from earlier stages of the 30-year conflict.

The New York Times

He would have been constrained from giving more shares, analysts said, because the effect would have been to further dilute Cendant's sagging earnings per share.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been constrained", ensure the context clearly indicates what is imposing the constraint and what is being affected. This provides clarity and strengthens the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "have been constrained" excessively in passive constructions. Active voice often creates more direct and impactful sentences. Instead of 'Resources have been constrained by budget cuts', try 'Budget cuts have constrained resources'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been constrained" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something or someone has experienced limitations or restrictions imposed by external factors. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been constrained" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, indicating limitations or restrictions. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the source and impact of the constraint. Alternatives like ""have been limited"" or ""have been restricted"" can provide nuanced alternatives. The analysis underscores its versatility and correctness in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been limited

Replaces "constrained" with a direct synonym, indicating a restriction in scope or quantity.

have been restricted

Similar to "limited", emphasizing a rule or external force imposing the restriction.

have been hampered

Suggests hindrance or obstruction, implying difficulty in progress.

have been impeded

Similar to "hampered", but often refers to more formal or systematic obstruction.

have faced limitations

Emphasizes the experience of encountering restrictions, rather than the state of being restricted.

have encountered obstacles

Focuses on barriers and challenges that have hindered progress.

have been subject to restrictions

Highlights the imposition of rules or regulations affecting something.

have had boundaries set

Implies that limits have been actively established, focusing on the act of setting boundaries.

have been under regulation

Suggests control through a specific system of rules.

have been kept in check

Indicates that something has been actively prevented from growing or expanding.

FAQs

How can I use "have been constrained" in a sentence?

You can use "have been constrained" to describe situations where something has been limited or restricted. For example, "Due to budget cuts, our resources "have been constrained"."

What are some alternatives to "have been constrained"?

Alternatives include "have been limited", "have been restricted", or "have been hampered", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "have been constrained"?

While "have been constrained" is grammatically correct, consider using the active voice for a more direct and impactful sentence. For instance, instead of 'Progress has been constrained by a lack of funding', try 'A lack of funding has constrained progress'.

What is the difference between "have been constrained" and "have been restricted"?

"Have been restricted" implies a rule or external force imposing a limitation, while "have been constrained" suggests a more general limitation, which may or may not be externally imposed. For example, 'Access "has been restricted" due to security concerns' versus 'Growth "has been constrained" by market conditions'.