inhibit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inhibit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of restraining, hindering, or preventing something from occurring. Example: "Certain chemicals can inhibit the growth of bacteria, making them useful in various medical applications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Oscillating clocks can be put together with a chemical that acts to inhibit its own production, and a second chemical that delays this self-inhibition by a reliable amount.

The Economist

Perhaps this is best illustrated by the bullying behaviours most cited within academic contexts – threats to professional status and obstructive behaviours, designed to inhibit employees achieving their goals.

The Guardian

Not only can caffeine adversely affect your mood and energy levels, it can also inhibit your body's absorption of the beneficial nutrients in food.

The Guardian - Books

Harris has found that people with specific variations of the gene APOBEC3H produce stronger and more stable enzymes which can inhibit the replication of HIV.

The Guardian

It was soon evident that his acquisition was primarily about money, but that didn't inhibit him from having a large say in the pro-Conservative party editorial policy, about which he was candid.

The Guardian

In the event, it was 20 years before the first lines earned more than 5% of their capital outlay, but that did nothing to inhibit their extravagant spending: a mile of Indian railway cost double the same distance in the equally difficult terrain of Canada and Australia.

The Guardian - Opinion

Most of the time they are studiously moderate, aware of the Thatcherite legal constraints (more are routinely threatened) that inhibit strikes as well as the relentless pressures of globalisation, which can shift production overseas if a domestic labour force is too stroppy or lacks skills.

The Guardian

Such daily demands inhibit the ability of some academics to cope with bullying, and demands cause stress which may lead otherwise rational people to engage in bullying as the spiral of work pressure increases.

The Guardian

There are over 1,000 chemicals in coffee, some of which have credible anti-cancer effects – caffeic acid can inhibit cell pathways involved in tumour growth, and cafestol stimulates antioxidants in the cells to defend themselves against cancer development.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Among many other things, it requires the wisdom to swap short-term gain for the hope of more distant reward: the ability to inhibit "your natural tendency to want to reach out and grab the big cake in front of you", as Professor Dunbar puts it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Bran is rich in phytates, which inhibit the absorption of iron and zinc in the body.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inhibit" to describe preventing or slowing down a process, reaction, or action. Be mindful of the level of formality your writing requires, as "inhibit" is suitable for academic, professional, and neutral contexts.

Common error

While "inhibit" is grammatically correct, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "stop", "prevent", or "block" may be more appropriate for everyday language.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "inhibit" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being hindered or restrained. Ludwig provides examples showcasing its use in various contexts, from chemical reactions to social behaviors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inhibit" functions as a transitive verb signifying the act of restraining or preventing something. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is grammatically sound and frequently employed across various contexts, including News & Media, Science and Formal & Business settings. The prevalence of "inhibit" in authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian underscores its reliability and versatility. When using "inhibit", clarity is key, specifying what is being hindered and tailoring usage to suit the level of formality required. Remember, while grammatically accurate, simpler alternatives may be preferable in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

restrain

Restrain implies holding back or controlling, often in the context of emotions or actions, while "inhibit" is broader and can apply to processes or functions.

hinder

"Hinder" suggests making it difficult for something to progress or succeed. "Inhibit" can also imply a complete stop or prevention, going beyond just difficulty.

impede

"Impede" focuses on slowing down or obstructing progress, similar to "hinder", but "inhibit" can mean preventing entirely.

curtail

"Curtail" means to reduce or restrict something, often gradually, whereas "inhibit" can be a more abrupt stop.

suppress

"Suppress" implies forcefully stopping or concealing something, especially emotions or information. "Inhibit" is less forceful and more about preventing function.

obstruct

"Obstruct" refers to blocking a path or process. "Inhibit" can be used metaphorically to block a non-physical process.

thwart

"Thwart" means to prevent someone from accomplishing something, implying a deliberate action. "Inhibit" is not necessarily intentional.

stifle

"Stifle" suggests suppressing or restraining, often with a negative connotation of suffocation or constraint. "Inhibit" is more neutral.

check

"Check" indicates stopping or slowing down an action or process, often temporarily. "Inhibit" suggests a more complete or longer-lasting effect.

restrain from

"Restrain from" means to prevent someone or something from doing something, often through direct intervention, while "inhibit" can be a natural or indirect effect.

FAQs

How can I use "inhibit" in a sentence?

"Inhibit" is typically used to describe the action of preventing or slowing down a process or activity. For example, "High levels of stress can "inhibit cognitive function"" or "Certain medications "inhibit the absorption of nutrients"."

What words can I use instead of "inhibit"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "restrain", "hinder", "impede", "suppress", or "prevent". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "inhibit from"?

While it's grammatically correct to say "restrain from", "inhibit" typically doesn't require "from". You would usually say "inhibit something" rather than "inhibit from something". For example, "The new regulations "inhibit growth"" is more common than "The new regulations inhibit from growth".

What's the difference between "inhibit" and "prevent"?

"Inhibit" suggests slowing down or restraining a process, whereas ""prevent"" implies completely stopping something from happening. For instance, "The drug inhibits the spread of the virus" suggests it slows it down, while "The drug prevents the spread of the virus" suggests it stops it entirely.