under moratorium

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under moratorium" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a certain activity or process is temporarily suspended or prohibited, often by official decree. Example: "The construction project is currently under moratorium due to environmental concerns raised by the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Republican argument is based on the assumption that drilling in areas that are now under moratorium — the Atlantic coast, almost all of the Pacific coast and Gulf of Mexico waters adjacent to the Florida coastline — could prove to be as productive as in offshore areas where leasing and drilling have been going on for decades.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

(My computer stores this document under "blurb moratorium template").

The New York Times - Books

The Shallow Water Energy Security Coalition, a group of companies that operate in shallower gulf waters and are not technically under the moratorium, also criticized the study.

The New York Times - Science

Drillers are already chafing under a moratorium on deepwater drilling in the gulf and strict new rules on shallow-water wells.

The New York Times - Science

He said that even under the moratorium, construction would be allowed in emergency situations, for routine maintenance and for changes that do not involve expanding existing structures.

The New York Times

Under a moratorium imposed by critics in Congress, the E.P.A. has been barred from enforcing the rules since they were issued last July.

The New York Times

Only five out of eight districts knew the types of land protected under the moratorium; and only three out of eight knew the specific areas protected by the official moratorium map within their district boundaries.

The Guardian

Uses of the chemicals that would be allowed under the moratorium would be restricted to professional growers, eliminating the danger that home gardeners would unwittingly wreak havoc on bee colonies.

The New York Times

All wells in deeper water will remain under a moratorium for at least six months while a presidential panel studies the Deepwater Horizon explosion and makes recommendations on whether and how to resume such drilling.

The New York Times

All wells in water deeper than 500 feet remain under a moratorium for at least the next six months while a presidential panel studies the April 20 Deepwater Horizon explosion and makes recommendations on whether and how to resume such drilling.

The New York Times

Under the moratorium on commercial whaling Japan is allowed to sell meat from the "scientific" hunts on the open market, although consumption has fallen dramatically since the postwar years when it was a rare source of protein.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under moratorium", clearly specify what is subject to the moratorium and the reason for its imposition. This provides clarity and context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "under moratorium" when referring to permanent bans or restrictions. A moratorium is temporary by definition, so ensure that the context reflects a temporary suspension rather than a permanent cessation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under moratorium" primarily functions as a modifier, describing a noun or activity that is currently subject to a temporary prohibition or suspension. The examples provided by Ludwig show its use in contexts ranging from drilling to construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "under moratorium" is a useful phrase to indicate a temporary suspension or prohibition. Ludwig’s analysis shows that it is grammatically correct and frequently used in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral, it’s important to specify what is subject to the moratorium and the reason behind it. Remember, a moratorium is temporary, so avoid using the phrase when referring to permanent bans. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is well-established and clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subject to suspension

Focuses on the act of suspending something rather than the state of being suspended.

temporarily prohibited

Highlights the temporary nature of the ban.

on temporary hold

Emphasizes the pause or interruption of an activity.

subject to a standstill

Indicates a complete stop or halt in progress.

under suspension order

Highlights the formal or official nature of the suspension.

under a stay of execution

Suggests a postponement of a decision or action, often in a legal context.

temporarily restricted

Focuses on the limited or constrained nature of the activity.

subject to deferral

Emphasizes the postponement of an action to a later time.

in a state of abeyance

Indicates a temporary state of inactivity or suspension.

put on ice

An informal way to say that something has been stopped for a while.

FAQs

How do you use "under moratorium" in a sentence?

You can use "under moratorium" to describe something that is temporarily prohibited or suspended, as in "Offshore drilling is "under moratorium" due to environmental concerns".

What's the difference between "under moratorium" and "banned"?

"Under moratorium" implies a temporary suspension, while "banned" suggests a permanent prohibition. Something "under moratorium" may be allowed in the future, but something that is banned is not.

What can I say instead of "under moratorium"?

You can use alternatives like "temporarily prohibited", "on hold", or "subject to suspension" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the project is under a moratorium" or "the project is under moratorium"?

Both are grammatically correct, though "the project is under moratorium" is slightly more common. The inclusion of "a" depends on stylistic preference and the specific context.