this was not allowed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this was not allowed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a certain action or behavior was prohibited or not permitted in a specific context. Example: "During the meeting, it became clear that this was not allowed, and we had to adhere to the established guidelines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Quat resigned and tried to directly hand over power to Thi, but this was not allowed by the generals.

Wikipedia

This was not allowed.

The New Yorker

But for some inexplicable reason this was not allowed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Within two minutes the police arrived to say this was not allowed.

The Guardian

(And nor was he aware that this was not allowed, apparently).

The Economist

"Out-of-town kids invariably tried to keep the balls if they got them, and this was not allowed," McDermott writes.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Before today, this wasn't allowed under the debate rules.

The New Yorker

This is not allowed by law.

The New York Times

So this is not allowed, so we'll put a red cross through that one.

Yale University

The other 365 days of the year this is not allowed.

The Guardian

"I believe that this is not allowed for me to engage in.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "this was not allowed", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what authority prohibited the action. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "this was not allowed" without specifying the reason or the rule being violated. Providing context enhances understanding and avoids confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was not allowed" functions as a statement of prohibition or restriction. It indicates that a particular action, behavior, or situation was not permitted by a certain authority or set of rules. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this was not allowed" is a versatile and commonly used expression to denote prohibition or restriction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and applicable across various contexts, from news reports to academic papers. While it maintains a neutral register, its specific impact can be adjusted by swapping "allowed" with synonyms such as "prohibited" or "forbidden" to modulate formality or strength. Understanding its function and usage patterns can improve clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this wasn't permitted

Use of "permitted" instead of "allowed" adds a slightly more formal tone.

this was forbidden

Using "forbidden" implies a stronger prohibition, often associated with rules or laws.

this was prohibited

Substitution of "prohibited" suggests a formal or legal restriction.

this was not authorized

Replacing "allowed" with "authorized" emphasizes a lack of official approval.

this was unacceptable

Changing to "unacceptable" shifts the focus to the appropriateness or suitability of the action.

this was out of bounds

Using "out of bounds" implies that the action exceeded established limits or rules.

this was off limits

Substituting with "off limits" indicates that the action was strictly prohibited.

this was not an option

Altering to "not an option" indicates the action was not a viable choice.

this was impermissible

Replacing "allowed" with "impermissible" provides a highly formal and legalistic tone.

this could not be done

Shifting the wording to "could not be done" focuses on the impossibility or infeasibility of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "this was not allowed" in a sentence?

Use "this was not allowed" to indicate that a specific action or behavior was prohibited according to a rule, law, or established guideline. For example: "Bringing outside food into the venue "this was not allowed"."

What's a more formal alternative to "this was not allowed"?

A more formal alternative would be "this was prohibited" or "this was not permitted". These options are suitable for legal or official contexts.

Is "this isn't allowed" grammatically correct?

Yes, "this isn't allowed" is grammatically correct and is a contraction of "this is not allowed". While grammatically sound, is often more informal than ""this was not allowed"".

What's the difference between "this was not allowed" and "this is not allowed"?

"This was not allowed" refers to something prohibited in the past, while "this is not allowed" refers to something currently prohibited. The former indicates a past restriction, while the latter indicates a present one.