restrain us from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "restrain us from" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean that something is preventing you from taking action. Example: Government regulations restrain us from making too many improvements to the building.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The Right Reverend John Chalmers said: "I hope we can be quite intentional about learning lessons that will restrain us from heading towards conflict every time there is a difference, so that lives are not squandered".

BBC

All of these developments should teach us humility in thinking we understand the consequences of our actions in the Middle East and restrain us from acting unless our national interests are clearly affected and unambiguous.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Nature prompts us to do only what is advantageous to us, and if we try to act contrary to its promptings we inevitably suffer for it as a natural consequence, whereas morality typically restrains us from doing what is advantageous to ourselves and requires us to do what is disadvantageous, and if we violate the requirements of morality we come to harm only if we are found out.

SEP

However, the limited number of DCIS cases (n = 7) in this study restrained us from further testing this hypothesis.

European Radiology

The data for this study were derived from a cross-sectional survey, restraining us from making any conclusions about the causal associations.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Philip's endearing modesty restrains us from praising him as much as we might want to.

The New York Times

We in England are especially prone to the danger because our national sensibility to music is not fastidious, and if we can find an intellectual excuse for a thing we have no sufficiently restraining nature to keep us from it.

The Guardian - Music

However, in contrast to the reference population, most GM women restrain from using any kind of contraception for religious reasons.

British Journal of Cancer

"Media should restrain itself from blaming us".

Vice

As well, China felt threat from the US strategy to restrain it from seeking naval interests.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

It restrains all of us from projecting a 4% GDP pace next year.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "restrain us from" when you want to express that rules, principles, or external forces are preventing a group from taking a particular action. It suggests a deliberate holding back.

Common error

While "restrain us from" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it in very informal contexts where simpler words like "stop" or "prevent" might be more appropriate. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "restrain us from" functions as a verb phrase + preposition indicating prevention or inhibition. As Ludwig AI notes, it signifies something preventing action. Examples from Ludwig show usage in contexts where external factors limit actions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "restrain us from" is a grammatically sound construction used to convey that something is preventing a group from taking a particular action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is correct and usable in written English. While not extremely common, the phrase appears primarily in news, media, and scientific contexts, suggesting a formal or neutral register. Alternative phrases like "prevent us from" or "stop us from" can be used in more informal settings. When using "restrain us from", ensure it aligns with the overall tone and formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevent us from

Replaces "restrain" with "prevent", offering a direct synonym with a similar connotation of stopping an action.

constrain us from

Uses "constrain", indicating a severe limitation or restriction.

stop us from

Uses "stop" as a more common and less formal substitute for "restrain", conveying a similar meaning.

hinder us from

Employs "hinder", suggesting an impediment or obstacle, making the action more difficult.

inhibit us from

Replaces "restrain" with "inhibit", indicating a suppression or holding back of an action.

impede us from

Replaces "restrain" with "impede", suggesting a delay or obstruction of progress.

keep us from

Uses "keep" to suggest preventing something from happening or someone from doing something.

deter us from

Employs "deter", suggesting discouraging someone from doing something through fear or doubt.

discourage us from

Replaces "restrain" with "discourage", indicating a loss of confidence or enthusiasm to perform an action.

dissuade us from

Uses "dissuade" to suggest persuading someone not to take a particular course of action.

FAQs

How can I use "restrain us from" in a sentence?

You can use "restrain us from" to indicate that something is preventing a group from taking action. For example, "The budget cuts "restrain us from" expanding our services".

What are some alternatives to "restrain us from"?

Alternatives include "prevent us from", "stop us from", or "inhibit us from", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "restrain us from" formal or informal?

"Restrain us from" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, phrases like "keep us from" or "stop us from" may be more suitable.

What's the difference between "restrain us from" and "prevent us from"?

While both phrases mean to stop someone from doing something, "restrain us from" often implies a conscious effort to hold back, while "prevent us from" suggests a more general obstruction or impediment.