they were forbidden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were forbidden" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a group of people was not allowed to do something, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "They were forbidden from entering the restricted area due to safety regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were forbidden to leave the country.

The New York Times - Arts

They were forbidden to take notes in the courtroom.

The New York Times

They were forbidden to wear double-breasted suits.

The New York Times

"They were forbidden to do anything," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

They didn't talk about this business; they were forbidden to do so, were they not?

Yale University

To shield the three children from outside influences, they were forbidden both television and the telephone.

The New Yorker

A survey in 2008 found that 37% thought they were forbidden to enter churches.

The Economist

They were forbidden to utter words or use technologies that did not exist in 1952.

The New York Times

They were forbidden to carry weapons or to take cars and vehicles.

The New Yorker

They later told him that they were forbidden to mention his name.

The Guardian - Books

Observant Jews requested an exemption for holy days on which they were forbidden to drive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were forbidden", ensure the context clearly identifies who "they" refers to and what the prohibition entails. Clarity is key for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the extent of the prohibition. Instead of just saying "they were forbidden", specify "they were forbidden from leaving the country" to avoid misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were forbidden" functions as a passive construction indicating a prohibition imposed upon a group. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct and widely used. The phrase typically precedes an infinitive verb or a prepositional phrase indicating the prohibited action or item.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were forbidden" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a prohibition imposed on a group. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It functions primarily to state a rule or restriction and is found most frequently in news, encyclopedic, and academic contexts. While synonyms like "they were prohibited" exist, "they were forbidden" carries a weight of authority. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding who "they" refers to and the specific nature of the prohibition to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were prohibited

Replaces "forbidden" with a direct synonym, "prohibited", maintaining a formal tone.

they were banned

Substitutes "forbidden" with "banned", implying a more official or widespread prohibition.

they were barred from

Suggests a stronger, more forceful prohibition.

they were not allowed

Uses a more common and less formal way to express prohibition.

they were restricted from

Emphasizes the limitation or constraint imposed upon them.

they were prevented from

Highlights the act of stopping or hindering them.

it was forbidden for them

Changes the sentence structure by fronting the prohibition.

they were under orders not to

Indicates that the prohibition comes from an authority.

they had no permission to

Focuses on the absence of authorization.

they were compelled not to

Suggests they were forced or obliged to abstain.

FAQs

How can I use "they were forbidden" in a sentence?

Use "they were forbidden" to indicate that a group of people was not allowed to do something. For instance, "They were forbidden to enter the restricted area".

What is a formal alternative to "they were forbidden"?

A more formal alternative is "they were prohibited", which carries a similar meaning but with a slightly elevated tone.

Is it correct to say "they were forbidden from"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "they were forbidden from" followed by a verb in the -ing form. For example, "They were forbidden from speaking during the ceremony".

What's the difference between "they were forbidden" and "they were not allowed"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "they were forbidden" suggests a stronger, more formal prohibition, whereas "they were not allowed" is generally more informal and less severe.