it is prohibited to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is prohibited to" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that an action is not allowed, such as: It is prohibited to smoke in this building.

✓ Grammatically correct

Legal restrictions

Rules and regulations

Moral and ethical codes

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Under the Cannabis Act, "it is prohibited to sell cannabis or a cannabis accessory that has an appearance, shape or other sensory attribute or a function that there are reasonable grounds to believe could be appealing to young persons".

Vice

It is prohibited to create other organizations in this domain or to permit their activities in this field.

Yale University

It is prohibited to operate a snowcoach in Grand Teton National Park except as authorized by the Superintendent.

Cornell University

A sign in a central building warns students in English: "It is prohibited to carry arms in the university.

The New York Times - Arts

Flange stiffness is very critical as it provides the flexural strength to the I-joist, hence it is prohibited to cut or notch the I-joist flanges.

Construction and Building Materials

One passage in Article 47 says it is prohibited to publish "any printed matter that is deemed contrary to the ethics, violates the morals or harms the dignity of the people or their personal freedoms".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

One of my favourite museums is the Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder (Our Lord in the Attic), a 17th-century house which hid an ornate Catholic church in its upper level in the time it was prohibited to celebrate mass.

The Guardian - Travel

"In this country, it's prohibited to dissent," Mr. Mata said.

The New York Times

So only 15% of you thought it was prohibited to turn the trolley in the case of bystander.

Yale University

Whereas 78% of you thought it was prohibited to have the trolley hit the fat man in that version of the scenario.

Yale University

The front page of the Flatbush Jewish Journal went as far as to say that it was "prohibited to vote for Lew Fidler" because he "wants to teach same-gender marriage to 6-year-old children".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When stating prohibitions, follow "it is prohibited to" with a clear and specific action to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader knows the extent of the prohibition. Always clarify who or what is subject to the rule to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is prohibited to" functions as a declarative statement expressing a prohibition or restriction. As confirmed by Ludwig, this construction is grammatically sound and serves to clearly communicate that a certain action or behavior is not allowed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is prohibited to" is a grammatically sound and versatile construction used to express a prohibition or restriction. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and common usage. Its function is primarily to impose limitations, often within legal, ethical, or practical contexts. The register leans toward neutral to formal, making it suitable for diverse communications while maintaining a degree of seriousness. The examples show that "it is prohibited to" is prevalent in "news & media", "science", and "academia". For alternative phrasings, consider options like "it is forbidden to" or "it is not allowed to", depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is forbidden to

Synonymous, but may carry a slightly stronger connotation of interdiction.

it is not allowed to

More direct and less formal than "prohibited".

it is impermissible to

More formal and emphasizes the lack of permission.

it is unlawful to

Specifically refers to legal prohibitions.

it is banned to

Implies an official or widespread prohibition.

one must not

Expresses a strong recommendation against doing something.

it is out of the question to

Emphasizes that something is not a viable option.

it is unacceptable to

Focuses on the social or ethical inappropriateness of an action.

it is restricted to

Highlights a limitation or constraint on an action.

it is off-limits to

Indicates that something is out of bounds or inaccessible.

FAQs

How can I use "it is prohibited to" in a sentence?

Use "it is prohibited to" to state a rule or law. For example, "It is prohibited to smoke in this area." You can also use "it is forbidden to" as an alternative.

What's the difference between "it is prohibited to" and "it is not allowed to"?

"It is prohibited to" is generally more formal and implies an official rule or law, while "it is not allowed to" is more informal and can apply to personal rules or preferences. The alternative "it is not allowed to" may be more appropriate in some contexts.

Are there synonyms for "it is prohibited to"?

Yes, there are many synonyms for "it is prohibited to" depending on the context, including "it is forbidden to", "it is unlawful to", and "it is impermissible to".

Is it correct to say "it is prohibited to"?

Yes, "it is prohibited to" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express that something is not allowed.