restrained me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "restrained me" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone or something has held you back or limited your actions or emotions. Example: "The fear of failure restrained me from pursuing my dreams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He restrained me, carried me to my room, and locked the door behind us.

The New Yorker

I didn't touch her - wouldn't have touched her - but the police restrained me and then arrested me.

The Guardian - Film

Some residual belief in self-discipline and the need to earn a living has restrained me from lying in bed 24 hours a day watching TV or sitting at a computer trying to get into people's chatrooms.

The Guardian

They restrained me in a lying down position.

Vice

The only thing that restrained me was knowing that my peers would think I was a massive arsehole.

Vice

The strongest nurse put me in a headlock while the rest grabbed my legs and arms and, as they call it, "restrained" me.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Who wants to restrain me?

The New Yorker

Fortunately, my dentist didn't call security to restrain me.

The New York Times

"They have to restrain me all the time.

The New York Times - Arts

The hospital called security because "a nurse was trying to restrain me and I repaid her with a kick".

The New York Times - Science

He had to restrain me from attacking a bellboy who rolled over some of them with a luggage cart".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "restrained me", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what was responsible for the restraint, and whether it was physical, emotional, or intellectual.

Common error

Avoid using "restrained me" when a weaker term like "discouraged" or "dissuaded" is more appropriate. "Restrained" implies a significant limitation, not mere advice or suggestion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "restrained me" functions as a verb phrase where "restrained" is the transitive verb and "me" is the direct object. As evidenced by Ludwig, it indicates the action of holding someone back, either physically or emotionally.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

29%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "restrained me" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe the act of being held back or limited by an external force. As shown by Ludwig, its usage spans from news and media to personal narratives. While "restrained me" is deemed correct, it's important to consider alternatives like "held me back" or "limited my actions" to achieve the most precise meaning. When writing, be mindful of the context and scope of the restraint to avoid misrepresenting the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held me back

Focuses on preventing progress or action.

curbed my enthusiasm

Specifically reduces excitement or eagerness.

checked my impulses

Highlights the control of sudden desires.

controlled my actions

Implies a conscious effort to manage behavior.

inhibited my freedom

Emphasizes the limitation of liberty or movement.

limited my movement

Directly restricts physical motion.

suppressed my feelings

Focuses on preventing the expression of emotions.

prevented my escape

Specifically stops someone from getting away.

kept me in check

Implies a monitoring influence to maintain order.

stifled my creativity

Hinders creative expression.

FAQs

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

Use "restrained me" to describe situations where you were held back or limited, either physically or emotionally. For instance, "The fear of failure "restrained me" from pursuing my dreams" or "He "restrained me" to prevent me from making a mistake".

What's the difference between ""restrained me"" and "held me back"?

"Restrained me" often implies a more forceful or direct action of limitation, while "held me back" can suggest a more indirect influence or obstacle. Both indicate prevention, but the former can suggest a greater degree of control.

Which is correct, "restrained me" or "restrained myself"?

Both are correct but have different meanings. "Restrained me" indicates someone or something else prevented you from acting, while "restrained myself" means you consciously controlled your own actions or emotions.

What are some alternatives to using ""restrained me""?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "held me back", "limited my actions", or "curbed my enthusiasm". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.