it was prohibited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was prohibited" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was not allowed or forbidden in the past. Example: "During the event, it was prohibited to use mobile phones in the auditorium."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 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 contrast to hexazinone, there is relatively little information on the dissipation of and ecotoxicity of terbuthylazine when used in a forest environment and limited data on its potential to bioaccumulate, the reason it was prohibited.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

On Monday, the ban on Justin Timberlake's video for Tunnel Vision was lifted, just days after it was prohibited by YouTube owing to its sexual content.

The Guardian

The assault aimed to prevent Iraq from building the chemical, biological and nuclear weapons it was prohibited from having under U.N. resolutions after its 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

Huffington Post

Since it was prohibited, the movement form was disguised as dance.

The New York Times - Arts

However, it was prohibited with the enactment of the 1949 Civil Code.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

5) You should refrain from stating "it is prohibited in Kv channels by the tight coupling of activation to the voltage-controlled gating process".

eLife

It is prohibited, just like alcohol was prohibited during Prohibition.

Huffington Post

"Firstly, our religion says it is prohibited.

The Guardian - Opinion

(The exception is pro football, where it is prohibited).

The New York Times

It is prohibited by a Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board regulation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was prohibited", ensure the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using active voice when the passive voice is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "They prohibited it", use the more formal and often clearer "it was prohibited".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was prohibited" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a specific action or thing was not allowed or permitted. Ludwig examples show this phrase used in diverse contexts such as historical events, legal restrictions, and scientific contexts, mirroring the AI's assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was prohibited" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that indicates something was not allowed or permitted in the past. According to Ludwig, this phrase is versatile and appears in a wide range of contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. The phrase is most often used to communicate restrictions or bans. While predominantly neutral to formal in register, understanding the correct tense and voice is important to avoid common writing errors. As exemplified by the numerous sources, "it was prohibited" remains a relevant and reliable way to express past prohibitions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it wasn't allowed

Replaces "prohibited" with a more informal term, "allowed", while retaining the same meaning.

it wasn't permitted

Substitutes "prohibited" with "permitted", another formal synonym, preserving the original sense.

it was forbidden

Uses "forbidden" which is a strong synonym for "prohibited", indicating a clear and direct ban.

it was banned

Employs "banned", a more concise and forceful alternative, highlighting the act of formally prohibiting something.

it was against the rules

Indicates that something went against established guidelines or regulations.

it was out of bounds

Suggests that an action or topic was considered unacceptable or off-limits.

it was off limits

Similar to 'out of bounds', implying that something was restricted or inaccessible.

it was not an option

Indicates that something could not be considered or chosen.

it was ruled out

Means that a possibility or action was officially rejected or dismissed.

it was unacceptable

Highlights that something did not meet required standards or expectations.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was prohibited" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it was forbidden", "it was not permitted", or "it was proscribed".

What's a simpler way to say "it was prohibited"?

You can use simpler alternatives such as "it wasn't allowed", "it was banned", or "it was off limits".

In what situations is it appropriate to use "it was prohibited"?

The phrase "it was prohibited" is appropriate when referring to a rule, law, or regulation that forbids a specific action or behavior. It's commonly used in formal writing, news reports, and historical accounts.

Is "it was prohibited" the same as "it is prohibited"?

No, "it was prohibited" indicates that something was not allowed in the past, while "it is prohibited" means something is currently not allowed. The tense changes the meaning.