it was restricted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was restricted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was limited or controlled in some way, often referring to access or permissions. Example: "Due to safety concerns, access to the area was restricted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has said that he is trying to take Facebook back to its early roots, when it was restricted to schools and universities.

The Guardian - Tech

And once we add this one sentence to it, that it was restricted in its nature.

Huffington Post

Seeing it was restricted, she did not disseminate its secrets.

Huffington Post

And then it was restricted.

The Guardian

It was restricted to foreigners until last year.

The New York Times - Style

Socar declined to comment on pricing, saying it was restricted by confidentiality clauses.

The Guardian

The movie gives some feeling of the stage production, but it was restricted by censorship problems.

The Guardian

It was restricted to staff members, although Mr. Bernanke's wife, Anna, was present.

The New York Times

It was restricted to Sagaponack, where farm fields once stretched to the sand dunes on the Atlantic.

The New York Times - Arts

The organization held about $640 million in USAID contracts and grants when it was restricted from receiving new government awards.

The Washington Post

They were reluctant at first and said we could not see it, that it was restricted – clearly it's not.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was restricted" when you want to emphasize a formal or enforced limitation.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader understands the extent of the restriction. Always specify what the restriction applies to. For example, instead of saying "access was restricted", specify "access to the building was restricted to employees only".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was restricted" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something (the subject) underwent a limitation or control imposed by an external entity or factor. Ludwig AI highlights its widespread use in various contexts to denote limitations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

43%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was restricted" is a grammatically sound and versatile construction used to indicate that something underwent limitation or control. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability across various domains, especially in News & Media, Science, and Academia. While generally neutral to formal, context dictates the specific tone. For clear communication, always specify what the restriction applies to. Consider alternative phrases like "it was limited" or "it was prohibited" for subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was limited

Focuses on the extent or degree to which something is allowed or available, rather than the act of restricting.

it was confined

Suggests a physical or metaphorical boundary that cannot be crossed, emphasizing containment.

it was under restriction

Similar in meaning but places emphasis on the state of being restricted.

it was regulated

Implies that rules or laws governed something, focusing on the formal control.

it was controlled

Highlights the act of exerting power or influence to manage something.

it was not permitted

Directly expresses the lack of authorization or allowance.

it was prohibited

Indicates a formal ban or interdiction, emphasizing the lack of permission.

it was subject to constraints

Focuses on the presence of limiting factors or conditions, often in a more formal setting.

it was only available to

Highlights exclusivity and specific recipient access.

it was earmarked

Implies specific allocation or designation for something particular.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it was subject to limitations", "it was governed by regulations", or "access was strictly controlled". The choice depends on the specific context and the nature of the restriction.

What are some synonyms for "it was restricted" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "it was limited", "it was confined", "it was regulated", or "it was prohibited". These alternatives offer slight variations in meaning and emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it was restricted"?

Yes, "it was restricted" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice of the verb "restrict" and is commonly used to indicate that something was subject to limitations or controls.

When should I use "it was restricted" versus "it is restricted"?

"It was restricted" should be used when referring to a past limitation or control, while "it is restricted" is used for current limitations. For example, "access to the archive was restricted until 2005," versus "access to the archive is restricted to authorized personnel".