restrained by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "restrained by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where an action or behavior is limited by outside forces or considerations. For example: "The growth of our business was restrained by lack of capital."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was restrained by the police.

Cornell University

"Pie is a mystery restrained by pastry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Both players were restrained by teammates.

The New York Times - Sports

They were restrained by police and some were arrested.

Columbia University

A right not to be restrained by injunction.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was restrained by Coach Rudy Tomjanovich and Mario Elie.

The New York Times - Sports

He was restrained by police for more than two hours.

The Guardian

The dog steps back, restrained by his owner.

The New Yorker

A wolverine hitherto restrained by her minister's choke chain.

Independent

Berardino had to be restrained by two cops.

The New Yorker

She was restrained by her PA," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "restrained by", ensure the subject being restrained and the restraining factor are clearly identified to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "restrained by" when the cause of limitation is unclear or unstated. Always specify what or who is doing the restraining to maintain clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "restrained by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject is acted upon by an external force or condition. As shown by Ludwig, it highlights the limitations or controls imposed on something or someone. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

34%

Academia

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "restrained by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction indicating that something is limited or controlled by an external factor. Ludwig's examples show it spans across varied contexts, but most commonly appears in News & Media and Scientific domains. While it can be replaced by alternatives like "constrained by" or "limited by", clarity demands the subject being restrained and the restraining force must always be clear. Avoid ambiguity and maintain precision in your writing. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and frequent usage of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Constrained by

Emphasizes limitations imposed by external factors or rules.

Restricted by

Focuses on specific limitations or boundaries.

Limited by

Focuses on the restrictions placed on something, often due to a specific factor.

Controlled by

Indicates direct influence or regulation.

Inhibited by

Focuses on something hindering or suppressing an action or feeling.

Checked by

Highlights the act of being stopped or controlled in one's actions.

Held back by

Suggests a force preventing progress or movement.

Curtailed by

Highlights a reduction or restriction in extent or quantity.

Governed by

Implies control through rules, laws, or principles.

Suppressed by

Implies forceful prevention or stopping of something.

FAQs

How is "restrained by" used in a sentence?

The phrase "restrained by" indicates that something or someone is being limited or controlled by an external force. For example, "The dog was restrained by its leash."

What are some alternatives to "restrained by"?

Alternatives include "limited by", "constrained by", or "controlled by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "restrained from" instead of "restrained by"?

While "restrained from" can be used, it typically implies being prevented from doing something, whereas "restrained by" indicates a limiting factor or condition. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "restricted by" and "restrained by"?

"Restricted by" often implies limitations imposed by rules or boundaries, while "restrained by" suggests a more direct or forceful limitation, although the terms are often interchangeable. You could say someone is "restricted by" a law, but "restrained by" a person.