have been restrained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been restrained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being limited or controlled, often in a legal or physical context. Example: "The suspects have been restrained by the authorities during the investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

"Contrary to popular belief, actions have been restrained.

The New York Times

So far, unlike in Argentina, the protests have been restrained.

The Economist

Commissions have been restrained from enforcing a statute which illegally burdened interstate commerce.

Cornell University

For some the performance might have been restrained to the point of ponderousness.

The New York Times

The museum experience may have been restrained and private, self-conscious and intimidating for neophytes.

The New York Times - Arts

I have heard some of the very distressing stories of people who have been restrained.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

However, it is not clear that high risk premiums on private debt have been restraining growth.

The Economist

"We have been restraining ourselves to a large extent," he said, according to Xinhua.

The New York Times

But his bosses' initial response has been restrained.

The New York Times

So far, however, the Palestinian response has been restrained.

The Economist

Mubenga had been restrained by three G4S security guards.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been restrained", ensure the context clearly indicates what or who is doing the restraining and what is being restrained. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "have been restrained" without specifying the agent or cause of the restraint when it is relevant. Omitting this information can leave the reader wondering about the reason for the limitation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been restrained" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject has experienced a limitation or control imposed by an external force. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples where actions are being limited or controlled.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been restrained" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression across diverse contexts, indicating a state of limitation or control. Ludwig AI analysis reveals its prevalence in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, reflecting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, clarity is key: specify the restraining agent to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "have been limited" or "have been controlled" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been limited

Focuses on the extent or degree to which something is restricted.

have been controlled

Emphasizes the act of maintaining influence or regulation over something.

have been curtailed

Suggests a reduction or restriction, often in a more abrupt or decisive manner.

have been suppressed

Implies the forceful prevention or stopping of something.

have been checked

Highlights the act of halting or slowing down progress or activity.

have been inhibited

Focuses on the process of hindering or preventing free action or expression.

have been impeded

Indicates that something has been obstructed or delayed.

have been hampered

Suggests that something has been made more difficult or challenging.

have been regulated

Highlights that something has been subjected to rules or guidelines.

have been moderated

Emphasizes the act of keeping something within reasonable limits or boundaries.

FAQs

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

Use "have been restrained" to indicate that someone or something has been limited or controlled. For example, "The protests "have been restrained" by the police", or "Her spending "has been restrained" due to budget cuts".

What are some alternatives to saying "have been restrained"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "have been limited", "have been controlled", or "have been curtailed" to convey similar meanings.

Is it correct to say "had been restrained" instead of "have been restrained"?

Yes, but the tense changes the meaning. "Have been restrained" implies a restraint that continues to have relevance in the present, while "had been restrained" refers to a restraint that occurred and concluded in the past.

What is the difference between "have been restrained" and "are being restrained"?

"Have been restrained" indicates a completed action with present relevance, whereas "are being restrained" implies that the act of restraining is currently in progress. For example, "The suspects "have been restrained"" (the restraining is done), versus "The suspects "are being restrained"" (the restraining is happening now).