to be prevented from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be prevented from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing obstacles or barriers that stop someone from doing something. Example: "She was prevented from attending the conference due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have to be prevented from using physical force.

Independent

Insurers have to be prevented from creaming off low-risk customers into separate markets.

The New Yorker

Does he want every business executive to be prevented from participating in the electoral process?

The New York Times

An alert has been issued to all ports and airports for Zalkalns to be prevented from leaving the UK.

The Guardian

The circumstances may have been different, but he knows what it is like to be prevented from playing football.

The Guardian - Sport

Are tourists to be prevented from taking pictures of the Horse Guards lest they "disrespect" the nearby Cenotaph?

The Guardian - Arts

Cook, however, was to all purposes tone-deaf, and had to be prevented from singing whenever possible.

The Guardian - Books

The Israeli government also wants Hamas to be prevented from rearming as a condition for a permanent ceasefire.

The Guardian

Ms. Seibel said it would be "extremely wasteful" if this book were to be prevented from happening.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's quite audacious for the medical board … to say you are such a dangerous individual that you ought to be prevented from practising medicine".

The Guardian

"You don't want to be prevented from getting a new apartment because the landlord won't give you a good reference," Mr. Ng said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be prevented from", ensure the sentence clearly indicates who or what is doing the preventing, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "to be prevented from" in overly convoluted sentences; simplify the structure for clearer communication. For instance, instead of saying "Due to the regulations, the company was to be prevented from proceeding with the project", try "The regulations prevented the company from proceeding with the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be prevented from" functions as a passive infinitive construction. It typically introduces a condition where an action is being blocked or restricted. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and prevalent across numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be prevented from" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates an action is being blocked or restricted. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence. It’s versatile, appearing in news, scientific, and business contexts. When using the phrase, clarity is key, and it's important to indicate who or what is doing the preventing. While generally neutral to formal, simpler alternatives like "to be stopped from" might be preferable in informal settings. Common errors include overuse in overly complex sentences, which can hinder clarity. Therefore, strive for concise sentence structures to improve communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be stopped from

Replaces "prevented" with a more direct and common synonym, offering a slightly less formal tone.

to be prohibited from

Indicates a formal or legal ban on something.

to be kept from

Uses a simpler verb, "kept", to convey the idea of being stopped or restricted.

to be hindered from

Substitutes "prevented" with "hindered", implying an obstruction or delay rather than a complete stop.

to be impeded from

Implies a slowing down or obstruction of progress.

to be barred from

Implies a more formal or legal prohibition.

to be blocked from

Suggests an obstruction that makes an action impossible.

to be obstructed from

Similar to 'impeded' but can suggest a more deliberate blocking of progress.

to be restrained from

Suggests a more forceful holding back, often implying a need for control.

to be averted from

Shifts the focus to avoiding something undesirable, rather than directly preventing an action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "to be prevented from" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives such as "to be stopped from", "to be hindered from", or "to be restrained from" depending on the context.

What does "to be prevented from" mean?

It means that someone or something is stopped or hindered from doing something, often due to rules, obstacles, or other limitations.

Is it correct to say "to be prevented to" instead of "to be prevented from"?

No, the correct form is "to be prevented from". Using "to be prevented to" is grammatically incorrect.

When is it appropriate to use "to be prevented from" in formal writing?

It's appropriate in formal writing when you need to express that an action is being blocked or restricted by some external force or regulation. Ensure the sentence structure is clear and concise.