was constrained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was constrained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is limited or restricted in some way. Example: "The project was constrained by a lack of funding, which affected its overall progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But he was constrained by two things.

The New York Times

And sometimes he was constrained by deals.

The New York Times - Books

As ever, Whithouse was constrained by the show's "bijou" budget.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But he was constrained and just didn't go for it".

The New York Times

Bush was constrained to take exception to this publicly.

The New Yorker

It was constrained from gathering information independently, limiting itself to material presented by the two sides.

The New York Times

He said he was constrained in what he could say because O'Brien was now suing Smyth.

The Guardian - Business

Mrs. Merkel has said she had no choice, since she was constrained by her coalition partners.

The New York Times

The BBC, in response, said it used official party colours and was "constrained in that regard".

The Guardian

I was constrained both personally and politically: a black, silent artifact.

The New Yorker

Most of the time, though, he was constrained by his predatory nature.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms such as "was limited" or "was restricted" to provide subtle variations in meaning depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "was constrained" vaguely. Instead of saying "The project was constrained", specify what aspect of the project "was limited", such as "The project was constrained by budget limitations" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was constrained" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence experienced a limitation or restriction. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it often describes external forces or conditions affecting the subject's actions or scope.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was constrained" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something or someone experienced a limitation or restriction. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is frequently used in various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While alternative phrases like "was limited" or "was restricted" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using "was constrained", ensure you clearly specify the source and scope of the constraint for better clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was limited

Implies a restriction on quantity, extent, or scope.

was restricted

Indicates a rule or condition imposing a limitation.

was hampered

Suggests that something was made difficult or impeded.

was inhibited

Implies that something was prevented from acting freely or naturally.

was bound

Suggests a sense of obligation or necessity that restricts freedom.

was confined

Indicates being kept within certain boundaries or limits.

was checked

Suggests that something's progress or freedom was stopped or controlled.

was curtailed

Implies a reduction or cutting short of something.

was impeded

Indicates that something was delayed or prevented from making progress.

was regulated

Suggests control through rules or laws.

FAQs

How can I use "was constrained" in a sentence?

The phrase "was constrained" indicates a limitation or restriction. For example, "The budget "was constrained" by the economic downturn", or "His artistic vision "was constrained" by the demands of the client".

What are some alternatives to "was constrained"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "was limited", "was restricted", or "was inhibited" to express similar meanings.

Is it better to use "was constrained" or "was limited"?

The choice between "was constrained" and "was limited" depends on the nuance you want to convey. "Was constrained" often implies a forceful or imposed restriction, while "was limited" can refer to natural or inherent boundaries.

Can "was constrained" be used in active voice?

No, "was constrained" is already in the passive voice. To use the active voice, you would rephrase the sentence. For example, instead of "The project was constrained by budget cuts", you could say "Budget cuts constrained the project".