was being restricted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was being restricted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is currently under limitation or control, often in a passive voice context. Example: "Access to the database was being restricted due to security concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

My travel was being restricted.

Independent

"My speech was being restricted.

Independent

The party also said Tuesday that Ms. Bhutto was being restricted from leaving the country.

The New York Times

Residents said soldiers had cordoned off the areas attacked and movement was being restricted in the city.

The Guardian

The regime said that no NLD executive committee members were under arrest, but said their movement was being "restricted".

The Guardian

The Red Cross advised 33 hospitals in the state on Friday that distribution of five types of blood was being restricted.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Voting in Syria was be restricted only to areas under government control.

Huffington Post

Access to health services for poor families is being restricted.

The New York Times

Officers are being restricted to a single army-subsidised home.

The Economist

Foreign journalists are being restricted from traveling to Lhasa, and the precise death toll remains unknown.

The New York Times

Overdrafts were being restricted and banks demanding "additional personal guarantees" for credit.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was being restricted", ensure the context clearly indicates what is imposing the restriction and what is being restricted to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was being restricted" when an active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "Access was being restricted by the administrator", use "The administrator restricted access".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being restricted" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence is receiving the action of being limited or controlled by an external force. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides examples where the phrase describes limitations imposed on various entities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was being restricted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase that describes an ongoing state of limitation or control. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various authoritative sources. While primarily found in news, science, and formal business contexts, writers should consider whether an active voice might provide more directness and clarity. Related phrases such as "was being limited" or "was being constrained" can serve as alternatives depending on the intended nuance. The phrase's neutrality makes it appropriate for many formal and semi-formal communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was being limited

Replaces "restricted" with "limited", suggesting a reduction in scope or extent.

was being constrained

Substitutes "restricted" with "constrained", implying a limitation or forced restriction.

was being curtailed

Uses "curtailed" instead of "restricted", indicating a reduction or cutting short.

was being hampered

Replaces "restricted" with "hampered", suggesting that something is being impeded or hindered.

was under restriction

Changes the verb phrase to a prepositional phrase, emphasizing the state of being restricted.

was subject to limitations

Replaces the verb phrase with a longer phrase emphasizing the application of limitations.

faced restrictions

Shifts the focus to facing the restrictions, indicating an encounter with limitations.

was being governed

Replace the "restricted" with "governed", indicating being ruled or controlled.

was being regulated

Replace the "restricted" with "regulated", indicating being controlled by rules.

was being policed

Replace the "restricted" with "policed", indicating being closely monitored and regulated.

FAQs

How can I use "was being restricted" in a sentence?

You can use "was being restricted" to indicate that something was in the process of being limited or controlled. For example, "His movement "was being restricted" by the court order".

What are some alternatives to "was being restricted"?

Alternatives include "was being limited", "was being constrained", or "was being curtailed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "was restricted" and "was being restricted"?

"Was restricted" implies a completed action of restricting, while ""was being restricted"" indicates an ongoing process of restriction at a particular time.

Is it better to use an active or passive voice with "was being restricted"?

While ""was being restricted"" is grammatically correct, using an active voice can often make your writing more direct and clear. Consider revising to use an active construction if appropriate for the context.