restrained from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "restrained from" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to mean that someone is limited in the actions they are able to take or are being prevented from doing something. For example: "The children were restrained from entering the garden without supervision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Restrained from governing, he decided to guide.

The New Yorker

One delegate had to be physically restrained from attacking another.

The Guardian

"You are restrained from doing what you want to do".

The New York Times

Mr. Turner is not restrained from using the bison for commercial breeding or sale.

The New York Times

Jeblawi, bruised and dehydrated, has to be restrained from excitedly hugging every European she sees.

The Guardian

The conventional view was that perpetrators should be restrained from harming victims.

The New York Times

And it should be remembered that firefighters themselves are restrained from accepting certain gratuities.

The New York Times - Magazine

He rushed onto the court and had to be restrained from going after Grillo.

The New York Times - Sports

That said, he has to be positively restrained from hoofing in public.

The Guardian - Film

Piazza was ejected and had to be restrained from trying to argue further with Wegner.

The New York Times - Sports

News reports said that he had to be restrained from wrestling officials after the incident.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the degree of restriction implied by "restrained from". If the action is completely impossible, "prevented from" might be a stronger and more accurate choice.

Common error

Avoid using "restrained from" when the action is merely difficult or discouraged, not truly prevented. Overusing it can weaken your writing; consider alternatives like "hesitant to" or "unlikely to" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "restrained from" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating a state of being limited or prevented from performing an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct and widely accepted in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "restrained from" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that signifies being prevented or limited from doing something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, its register is neutral, making it suitable for a wide range of communications. Consider alternatives like "prevented from", "prohibited from", or "inhibited from" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Ensure clarity regarding who or what is imposing the restraint to avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevented from

Indicates a direct action that stops someone from doing something, slightly more active than "restrained from".

prohibited from

Implies a formal or legal ban, suggesting a stronger level of restriction than "restrained from".

barred from

Suggests a physical or figurative obstacle preventing access or action; implies exclusion.

inhibited from

Highlights the internal factors or processes hindering an action, focusing on a lack of freedom.

discouraged from

Suggests a lack of encouragement or support, which leads to someone avoiding an action, a more subtle form of restriction.

deterred from

Highlights the use of fear or obstacles to prevent an action, implying a deliberate dissuasion.

curbed from

Implies a limitation or reduction in scope or intensity, fitting well when the action is not entirely prevented.

held back from

Emphasizes the act of being physically or metaphorically kept away from something; simple and direct.

constrained from

Focuses on external limitations or pressures that restrict freedom of action, often broader than a direct prevention.

impeded from

Highlights obstacles that slow down or make an action difficult, rather than completely preventing it.

FAQs

How can I use "restrained from" in a sentence?

Use "restrained from" to indicate that someone or something is being prevented or limited from doing something. For example, "The company was "prohibited from" exporting certain goods."

What are some alternatives to "restrained from"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "prevented from", "prohibited from", or "inhibited from" to convey a similar meaning.

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

No, "restrained to" has a different meaning. "Restrained from" means being prevented from doing something, while "restrained to" implies being limited to something. The correct phrase depends on the intended meaning.

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

"Restrained from" generally implies being held back or prevented, often physically or emotionally, while "restricted from" usually refers to a formal limitation or regulation. However, the phrases are often interchangeable.