was constrained by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was constrained by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is limited or restricted by certain factors or conditions. Example: "The project was constrained by a lack of funding, which affected its overall scope and timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 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

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

The New York Times

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

The New Yorker

Gauke told MPs – unanimous in their condemnation of such tax engineering – that HMRC was constrained by international tax rules.

The Guardian - Tech

Profit was constrained by costs to integrate acquisitions and sell a stake in the Genworth insurance unit.

The New York Times

In Deutsche Bank's case, its flexibility was constrained by the six-month corruption trial of its chief executive, Josef Ackermann.

The New York Times

As with virtually any study, the design of Prove It was constrained by the money available to perform it.

The New York Times

It was in New York that Murray realized her life was constrained by more factors than race.

The New Yorker

Osborne's room for manoeuvre was constrained by a deterioration in the public finances since the budget in March.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs if "was constrained by" feels passive. Active voice can sometimes add more impact.

Common error

Avoid using "was constrained by" without specifying what exactly caused the constraint. For example, instead of "The project was constrained by factors", specify "The project was constrained by budget limitations".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was constrained by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject experienced a limitation or restriction due to an external factor. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

34%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was constrained by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that expresses limitation or restriction due to external factors. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is best suited for neutral to formal registers and commonly appears in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedic contexts. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to specify the limiting factor when using this phrase and avoid vague references. While alternatives like "was limited by" or "was restricted by" exist, "was constrained by" provides a nuanced way to communicate how circumstances have shaped a particular outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was limited by

This alternative directly replaces "constrained" with "limited", offering a very similar meaning of having restrictions or boundaries.

was restricted by

This option emphasizes the act of being formally or officially limited, suggesting a rule or regulation is involved.

was hampered by

Suggests that progress or function was made difficult by something, indicating an impediment rather than a strict boundary.

was impeded by

Similar to "hampered by", but often implies a more significant or complete obstruction.

was influenced by

Indicates that something was affected or guided by something else, focusing on impact rather than restriction.

was dictated by

Implies that a specific course of action or outcome was determined or controlled by something else, suggesting less flexibility.

was governed by

This option emphasizes the regulatory aspect, highlighting that rules or principles played a key role.

was shaped by

Focuses on the way something was formed or developed due to the influence of external factors.

was subject to

Indicates that something is liable to experience or be affected by something else, often undesirable.

was conditional on

Emphasizes that something is dependent on certain terms or prerequisites being met.

FAQs

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

The phrase "was constrained by" is used to indicate that something or someone was limited or restricted by a particular factor. For instance, "The project "was constrained by" a lack of funding" or "The artist's vision "was constrained by" the limitations of the medium".

What are some alternatives to "was constrained by"?

Alternatives include phrases like "was limited by", "was restricted by", "was hampered by", or "was impeded by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While both phrases are similar, "was limited by" generally implies a more straightforward restriction, while "was constrained by" can suggest a more complex set of limitations or influences. The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of restriction you want to emphasize.

What does it mean for something to be "constrained by" something else?

When something is "constrained by" something else, it means that its freedom of action, development, or expression is limited or restricted by that thing. This could be due to practical limitations, rules, regulations, or other factors.