he was prohibited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was prohibited" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was not allowed to do something, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "He was prohibited from entering the premises due to safety regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

He was prohibited from even making FOI requests under the terms of his compromise agreement.

Independent

He was prohibited from any contact with union employees or players.

The New York Times - Sports

In prison, he was prohibited from writing anything but letters about "family matters" to his wife.

The New York Times

He was prohibited from engaging in politics from 1980 to 1987.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1967 he was arrested and exiled, and he was prohibited from publishing until 1972.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The judge's lawyer, Michael Mone, said he was prohibited from commenting on the agreement.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

In May, the president announced that he was prohibiting certain military-grade equipment from being transferred to state and local law enforcement.

Huffington Post

Under the memorandum, he is prohibited from doing so.

The Guardian

He is prohibited by law from seeking a third term.

The New York Times

Police chief Lee White has previously said that he is prohibited from talking about employee discipline.

The Guardian

Mr. Curry has said that he is prohibited from discussing the terms of the settlement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "forbidden" or "barred" to add nuance or variety to your writing while maintaining a similar meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "he was prohibited" when a simple lack of ability or resources is the reason someone couldn't do something. "Prohibited" implies an external rule or law, not an internal limitation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was prohibited" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (he) was the recipient of an action (being prohibited). Ludwig examples illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he was prohibited" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone was officially or legally not allowed to do something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. While the phrase is most frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal tone suitable for official reporting or stating imposed restrictions. When writing, consider synonyms like "forbidden" or "barred" for added nuance, and avoid using "he was prohibited" when a lack of ability, not an external rule, is the reason for inaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was forbidden

Replaces "prohibited" with "forbidden", implying a stronger, often personal, interdiction.

he was barred

Suggests a legal or official exclusion, similar to prohibited but often implying a physical barrier or formal process.

he was restricted

Indicates limitations were placed on his actions, less absolute than "prohibited".

he was not allowed

A more informal way of expressing prohibition, suitable for everyday contexts.

he was prevented

Focuses on the action of stopping him from doing something, rather than a rule.

he was restrained

Implies a controlled or forced prevention, often physically or legally.

he was disallowed

Signifies that permission was denied, slightly more formal than "not allowed".

he was banned

Suggests a formal or official condemnation and prevention of an action or presence.

he was excluded

Indicates that he was left out or not permitted to participate.

he was ineligible

He did not meet the criteria or qualifications to do something.

FAQs

What does "he was prohibited" mean?

The phrase "he was prohibited" means that someone was officially or legally not allowed to do something. It implies there's a rule, law, or regulation preventing the action.

What are some alternatives to saying "he was prohibited"?

You can use alternatives like "he was forbidden", "he was barred", or "he was restricted", depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "he was prohibited" and "he was banned"?

While both indicate a restriction, "he was prohibited" often suggests a specific rule or law is in place. "He was banned" implies a more general or widespread disapproval, sometimes without a specific legal basis. For example, "he was banned" from the establishment.

Can "he was prohibited" be used in informal contexts?

While the phrase isn't strictly formal, it's generally more appropriate for serious or official contexts. In informal situations, phrases like "he wasn't allowed" or "he couldn't" might be more suitable.