to be restrained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be restrained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is being held back or limited in their actions or emotions. Example: "In situations of high stress, it is important to be restrained in your reactions to maintain professionalism."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She had to be restrained.

The New York Times

Talib had to be restrained.

The New York Times - Sports

Borel had to be restrained.

The New York Times - Sports

Did he have to be restrained?

The New York Times

I had to be restrained.

The Washington Post

The New York City Police Department needs to be restrained.

The New York Times

But I didn't want to be restrained.

The New York Times - Arts

A right not to be restrained by injunction.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Banks, and especially the big banks, need to be restrained".

The New York Times

Berardino had to be restrained by two cops.

The New Yorker

It's the Federal Reserve that needs to be restrained".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be restrained" when describing a situation where someone or something needs to be kept under control, whether physically, emotionally, or legally. For example, "The crowd had to be restrained by the police."

Common error

Avoid using "to be restrained" when you mean someone is acting in a controlled or reserved manner themselves. Instead, use 'restrained' as an adjective: "He was very restrained in his reaction".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be restrained" functions as a passive infinitive, often appearing after auxiliary verbs like 'had', 'needs', or 'has'. It indicates that the subject is receiving the action of being controlled or held back. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is frequently found in news and media.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be restrained" is a common and grammatically sound passive infinitive phrase that describes the act of being held back or controlled. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While the phrase is versatile, it is important to differentiate its meaning from situations where someone is acting in a restrained manner themselves. Consider alternatives like "to be controlled" or "to be held back" based on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The phrase has wide acceptance and authoritative usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be controlled

This alternative focuses on the act of exerting influence or power over something or someone.

to be held back

This phrase emphasizes the idea of preventing someone from progressing or advancing.

to be kept in check

This suggests maintaining something within certain bounds or limits to prevent undesirable behavior.

to be curbed

This implies a reduction or restriction in activity or expression.

to be suppressed

This suggests forcibly preventing something from being expressed or known.

to be restricted

This alternative focuses on setting limits or boundaries.

to be constrained

This implies being limited or forced to act in a certain way.

to be inhibited

This phrase focuses on preventing free action or expression due to feelings of self-consciousness or fear.

to be regulated

This suggests controlling something through rules or laws.

to be governed

This implies controlling or directing something through authority or management.

FAQs

How can I use "to be restrained" in a sentence?

The phrase "to be restrained" is used in passive constructions to indicate that someone or something is being held back or controlled by an external force. For example, "The dog had to be restrained to prevent it from attacking the mailman."

What's the difference between "to be restrained" and "to be controlled"?

"To be restrained" often implies a more immediate or physical act of holding someone back, while "to be controlled" ("to be controlled") suggests a more general or ongoing management of behavior or actions. For example, "The prisoner needed to be restrained during transport", versus "The company needed to be controlled to prevent further losses."

What are some synonyms for "to be restrained"?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms such as "to be held back" ("to be held back"), "to be curbed" ("to be curbed"), or "to be suppressed" ("to be suppressed"). These alternatives capture different nuances of limitation and control.

Is it correct to say "needs to be restrained"?

Yes, the phrase "needs to be restrained" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It indicates that there is a requirement for someone or something to be held back or controlled. For example, "The budget needs to be restrained to avoid a deficit."