they are prohibited

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'they are prohibited' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is not allowed, for example: "The use of plastic bags is prohibited in this area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In fact they are prohibited.

The New York Times

They are prohibited from removing or mechanically copying the information.

The New York Times

But they are prohibited from voting for themselves (six votes are required for election).

The New York Times

They are prohibited from asking about the status of crime victims, witnesses and people requesting assistance.

The New York Times

"We believe they are prohibited from doing that at this time," she said.

The New York Times

The security holders are effectively the lenders, but legally they are prohibited from contacting the homeowners.

The New York Times

To stop banks abusing these tax breaks, they are prohibited from owning SPAVs.The perks seem to be working.

The Economist

If they switch parties after parliament is dissolved, they are prohibited from running in the subsequent general election.

The Economist

Because of the damage they are said to cause road surfaces, they are prohibited in certain localities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most maritime insurers are based in Europe and they are prohibited from writing policies on any Iranian oil shipped anywhere.

The New York Times

"The employer can take deductions for the United Way, or other organizations, but they are prohibited from collecting union dues.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they are prohibited", ensure the context clearly identifies who "they" refers to and what action is being prohibited. This prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader understands the extent of the prohibition. Specify all relevant details to prevent misinterpretations. For instance, instead of just saying "They are prohibited", clarify what actions are prohibited and under what circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are prohibited" functions as a declarative statement indicating that a specific group or entity is forbidden from performing a particular action. This is evident in Ludwig's examples, where the phrase is used to outline restrictions imposed by laws, regulations, or rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

21%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are prohibited" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate that certain actions or behaviors are forbidden. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is frequently used in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts, conveying a neutral to formal tone. Related phrases like "they are forbidden" or "they are not allowed" offer similar meanings, with slight variations in formality. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who "they" refers to and the specific actions being prohibited to avoid ambiguity. Be mindful of the context to maintain appropriate tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are forbidden

Uses a direct synonym for 'prohibited', maintaining the same meaning.

they are not allowed

Replaces 'prohibited' with a common alternative, expressing the same restriction.

they are banned

Employs 'banned' to indicate a formal prohibition, slightly stronger in connotation.

they are restricted

Suggests limitations or controls, less absolute than 'prohibited'.

they are barred

Implies exclusion or prevention, similar to 'prohibited' but more forceful.

they cannot

Expresses inability due to rules or laws; a more general form of prohibition.

it is forbidden for them

Rephrases the sentence structure while retaining the core meaning.

they must not

Indicates a rule or command against something; carries a tone of obligation.

they are out of bounds

Uses a metaphor to suggest something is off-limits or not permitted.

they have no right

Emphasizes the lack of entitlement or permission, implying prohibition.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they are prohibited" to sound more formal?

You can use alternatives such as "they are forbidden", "they are not permitted", or "they are barred" to achieve a more formal tone.

What's a less formal way to say "they are prohibited"?

Informal alternatives include "they are not allowed", "they can't", or "they are not supposed to".

When is it appropriate to use "they are prohibited"?

Use "they are prohibited" when stating a rule, regulation, or law that forbids a specific action or behavior. It's suitable for formal contexts like legal documents or official announcements.

Is there a difference between "they are prohibited" and "they are banned"?

While similar, "they are prohibited" is generally broader, referring to any kind of restriction. "They are banned" often implies a more official or absolute prohibition, like a formally declared ban.