prevents them from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prevents them from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something stops or hinders someone from doing a particular action or achieving a specific outcome. Example: "The heavy rain prevents them from going outside to play."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But the skin also prevents them from absorbing enough syrup.

The New York Times - Food

What prevents them from dealing directly with each other?

The New Yorker

This prevents them from drying out, particularly in desert regions.

The New York Times

Nothing prevents them from, at last, indulging the wild side.

The New Yorker

"They understand that it prevents them from enjoying their lives.

The Guardian

Such a lack of trust prevents them from building relationships.

The Economist

DVD's are already protected by a digital wrapper that prevents them from being copied.

The New York Times

The question is not what allows men to hug, but what prevents them from hugging.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They also worry their secrecy makes them seem detached and prevents them from making friends.

The Guardian - Money

The Rolling Jubilee agreed to a nondisclosure agreement that prevents them from revealing his name.

The Guardian

The legal limbo surrounding their status as copies prevents them from being digitized.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prevents them from" to describe a wide range of scenarios, from physical obstacles to legal restrictions.

Common error

Avoid overstating the effect. "Prevents them from" implies a complete stoppage. If something only makes an action more difficult, consider words like "hinders" or "impedes" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevents them from" functions as a causative expression, indicating that a particular action or circumstance stops someone or something from performing another action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prevents them from" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates a hindrance or stoppage of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's employed across various contexts, including news, science, and formal writing, making it a valuable tool for clear communication. Remember to use it accurately, ensuring it reflects a complete prevention rather than a mere difficulty, and consider alternative phrases like "stops them from" or "hinders them from" for nuanced meanings. When choosing between options, make sure that the chosen wording adequately describes the degree to which an action is being stopped.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stops them from

Uses a more direct verb ("stops") instead of "prevents", offering a simpler alternative.

hinders them from

Employs "hinders", suggesting a less absolute prevention and more of an impediment.

impedes them from

Similar to "hinders", "impedes" implies a slowing or obstruction of progress.

prohibits them from

Indicates a formal or legal ban, making the prevention more official.

restricts them from

Implies limitations or constraints are in place, not necessarily a complete stop.

precludes them from

A more formal and emphatic way of saying something makes something impossible.

makes it impossible for them to

Rephrases the sentence structure to emphasize the impossibility of the action.

makes them unable to

Focuses on the inability to perform an action as a consequence.

discourages them from

Suggests something makes an action less appealing, rather than strictly preventing it.

deters them from

Similar to "discourages", indicating something that dissuades or inhibits an action.

FAQs

How can I use "prevents them from" in a sentence?

Use "prevents them from" to indicate that something stops someone from doing something. For example, "The heavy rain prevents them from going outside".

What's a more direct alternative to "prevents them from"?

A more direct alternative is "stops them from", which conveys the same meaning in a simpler way.

How is "prevents them from" different from "discourages them from"?

"Prevents them from" indicates a complete stop, while "discourages them from" suggests something makes an action less appealing, but still possible.

What are some formal alternatives to "prevents them from"?

Formal alternatives include "prohibits them from" or "precludes them from", suitable for legal or official contexts.