strictly discouraged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strictly discouraged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a certain behavior or action is strongly advised against or not permitted. Example: "In this organization, the use of personal devices during meetings is strictly discouraged to maintain focus and productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Social interaction is limited to yelling within the pod, and even that is strictly discouraged.

The New Yorker

Kitchen work and sewing are avoided because use of knives, scissors, needles, and other sharp objects is strictly discouraged.

Columbia University

"When I was there, that legacy talk was strictly discouraged," says David Frum, a White House speechwriter in Bush's first term.

The New York Times - Magazine

Gilligan said some parents of new recruits had told him they believed Vermont would now be a safe place to send a young athlete because hazing would be strictly discouraged.

The New York Times - Sports

Market timing is not illegal, but it is usually strongly and strictly discouraged by mutual funds because it drives up the funds' costs and lowers their long-term returns.

The New York Times

Gift authorship is strictly discouraged [12] and it is the authors' sole responsibility to ensure that authorship criteria are fully met.

Insights into Imaging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Weapons producers are discouraged but not strictly prohibited.

Forbes

The conservative swimwear is a reminder of the oft-forgotten fact that North Korea's social norms are among the most strictly conservative in the world; shows of physical beauty are discouraged as shows of individualism.

The Washington Post

At the World Bank, Robert McNamara discouraged financing of health care "unless it was very strictly related to population control, because usually health facilities contributed to the decline of the death rate, and thereby to the population explosion".

The New York Times - Books

Get discouraged.

Harvard Business Review

Discouraging news for an already discouraged workforce.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strictly discouraged" when you want to convey a strong recommendation against a specific action or behavior, without necessarily making it explicitly forbidden. This is particularly useful in scenarios where flexibility is needed, but a particular course of action is strongly disfavored.

Common error

Avoid using "strictly discouraged" in formal policy documents that require definitive rules. Instead, opt for terms like "prohibited" or "forbidden" to eliminate ambiguity and ensure clear enforcement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strictly discouraged" functions as a way to express a strong recommendation against a certain action or behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, it conveys that something is highly disfavored but not necessarily forbidden. It combines the adverb "strictly", intensifying the verb "discouraged".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strictly discouraged" is a phrase used to indicate a strong recommendation against a particular action without explicitly prohibiting it. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While "strictly discouraged" appears across varied contexts, it’s most frequently found in news, scientific, and wiki sources. Alternatives include phrases like "strongly advised against" or "firmly prohibited". When writing, use "strictly discouraged" to convey a strong recommendation against a specific action or behavior without making it explicitly forbidden and avoid the expression in formal policy documents where definitive rules are required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strongly advised against

Emphasizes advice against something, but may not carry the same level of prohibition.

firmly prohibited

Indicates a clear and enforced ban on something.

expressly forbidden

Highlights a specific and clear prohibition.

highly disapproved of

Shows a strong negative opinion or condemnation.

seriously frowned upon

Suggests a strong sense of disapproval within a community or group.

not permitted

Indicates a lack of allowance or authorization.

officially discouraged

Implies a formal discouragement by an authority.

under strict prohibition

Highlights that the prohibition is rigid and enforced.

not recommended

Offers a cautionary note against a particular course of action.

should be avoided

Advises against something, often for safety or best practice reasons.

FAQs

How to use "strictly discouraged" in a sentence?

You can use "strictly discouraged" to indicate that a certain behavior is strongly advised against. For example, "In this library, talking loudly is "strictly discouraged"."

What can I say instead of "strictly discouraged"?

You can use alternatives such as "strongly advised against", "firmly prohibited", or "highly disapproved of" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "strictly discouraged" and "prohibited"?

"Strictly discouraged" implies a strong recommendation against something, while "prohibited" indicates a formal ban or restriction. "Prohibited" carries a stronger sense of enforcement.

When is it appropriate to use "strictly discouraged" versus "discouraged"?

Use "strictly discouraged" when you want to emphasize the seriousness of the discouragement. "Discouraged" is suitable for milder recommendations against something, whereas ""strictly discouraged"" conveys a stronger stance without outright forbidding it.