inhibiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inhibiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of restraining, hindering, or preventing something from occurring or progressing. Example: "The medication has a side effect of inhibiting the patient's ability to concentrate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Society's wider fear of loneliness is compounded by a "phobia" of old age with the effect of inhibiting attempts to tackle the problem, she added.

The Guardian

He made up sentences that helped explain to him, and therefore others in his dire, inhibiting situation, the bottled-up the pain he felt at being underestimated, pinned down, ignored, driven into the thieving, violence and ganged-up mischief that confirms all mercilessly applied stereotypes.

The Guardian - Music

Inhibiting Wnt either with genetic correction or a drug compound restored the ability of the stem cells to convert into cortical neurons.

The Guardian

To care for their siblings, children are often forced to abandon their education to find work, further inhibiting their employability as an adult.

The Guardian

Add the high value of a euro that is inhibiting exports, the suffocating rules of the euro zone's "stability and growth pact" and the slowness of the European Central Bank to lower interest rates (see article), and you have economies whose stagnation has both systemic and cyclical causes.In this section A good beginning Bliar?

The Economist

It seems very unlikely that America's budget deficit, which the Congressional Budget Office now estimates will be 2% of GDP in 2006, is substantially inhibiting the ability of private businesses to raise capital.

The Economist

It is an intriguing idea, so I have copied some excerpts to provide a flavor of the analysis.Mr Gave begins by arguing that convertability risk is inhibiting investment in the troubled countries:By early 2003, very obvious value was starting to emerge in the Hong Kong real estate market…Like most investors, I was still worried that the Hong Kong dollar might break its peg to the US$.

The Economist

SCO is now operating under Chapter 11 of the American bankruptcy code.The verdict removed, once and for all, the burden that had been inhibiting Linux's broader acceptance.

The Economist

Regulation inevitably has a cost, inhibiting the kind of innovation that brought clear benefits.

The Economist

The concentration on inhibiting growth rather than encouraging abundance means that it is in effect the antithesis of what most people would nowadays understand by gardening.

The Economist

Other individuals are simply inspired by his example and apocalyptic ideology.Terrorism has a complex ecology, inhibiting generalisations.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inhibiting" when you want to emphasize the action of preventing or slowing down a process, development, or expression. It is particularly useful in scientific, economic, and social contexts.

Common error

While "inhibiting" is grammatically correct, it may sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Consider using simpler alternatives like "stopping" or "preventing" for better readability and tone.

Linguistic Context

The term "inhibiting" functions primarily as a present participle or gerund, often acting as part of a verb phrase to describe an ongoing action of preventing or slowing something down. As evidenced by Ludwig, it commonly modifies nouns or serves as a verb in continuous tenses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inhibiting" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a verb, used to describe the act of preventing or slowing down a process. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While it's essential to consider simpler alternatives in informal settings, understanding its nuanced application is crucial for precise communication. Related phrases such as "suppressing" and "restraining" offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings, while being mindful of the potential overuse in informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suppressing

Focuses more on forcefully stopping something from being expressed or developed.

restraining

Implies controlling or holding back something, often with physical or moral force.

impeding

Highlights the act of slowing down or obstructing progress.

hindering

Suggests creating difficulties or obstacles in someone's way.

obstructing

Emphasizes the act of blocking or preventing movement or progress.

thwarting

Implies successfully preventing someone's plans or efforts from succeeding.

curtailing

Focuses on reducing or limiting something.

stifling

Suggests preventing something from developing or being expressed freely.

hampering

Indicates making it difficult for someone to do something.

deterring

Focuses on discouraging or preventing someone from doing something through fear or doubt.

FAQs

How can I use "inhibiting" in a sentence?

You can use "inhibiting" to describe something that is preventing or slowing down a process. For example, "High interest rates are "inhibiting economic growth"".

What are some alternatives to "inhibiting"?

Some alternatives to "inhibiting" include "preventing", "hindering", "restraining", and "suppressing". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is correct, "inhibiting growth" or "inhibiting to grow"?

"Inhibiting growth" is the correct and more common usage. "Inhibiting" is a transitive verb that takes a direct object. "Inhibiting to grow" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "inhibiting" and "preventing"?

While both "inhibiting" and "preventing" imply stopping something, "inhibiting" suggests slowing down or hindering progress, whereas "preventing" implies a complete stop. For example, "Regulation inevitably has a cost, "inhibiting the kind of innovation"" while "The new law is aimed at "preventing crime"".