was restricted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was restricted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was limited or confined in some way in the past. Example: "Access to the confidential files was restricted to authorized personnel only."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The deployment was restricted.

The New York Times

Smoking was restricted everywhere.

The New York Times - Travel

And then it was restricted.

The Guardian

After 1688 Chinese immigration was restricted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Initially, plague was restricted to cities.

The New York Times - Health

The use of herbicides was restricted.

The New York Times - Food

"I knew how bound I was, restricted.

The New York Times

Couch was restricted from running yesterday.

The New York Times - Sports

Her own sleuthing was restricted by confidentiality laws.

The Guardian - Music

Yilmaz said safety awareness was restricted to "classroom lessons".

The Guardian

Wearing jewelry was restricted by feudal protocol and tradition.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was restricted", ensure the context clearly defines what imposed the restriction and what was affected. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was restricted" without specifying the domain of restriction. For example, instead of "Access was restricted", specify "Access to the building was restricted to employees".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was restricted" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that a subject experienced a limitation or constraint imposed by an external force or rule. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was restricted" is a grammatically sound passive construction widely used to indicate that something experienced a limitation or constraint. Ludwig AI validates its appropriate usage in diverse contexts. As seen in the provided examples, the phrase appears frequently in news, scientific publications, and formal business documents. When employing "was restricted", ensure clarity by specifying both the subject of the restriction and the factors causing it. Consider alternatives like "was limited" or "was confined" based on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was limited

Indicates a direct synonym, focusing on the extent or amount being reduced.

was confined

Implies being kept within specific boundaries or areas.

was constrained

Highlights the presence of forces or factors that impose limitations.

was curtailed

Focuses on the act of reducing or cutting something short.

was inhibited

Suggests something was prevented or slowed down.

was checked

Implies a control mechanism was in place to restrain something.

was regulated

Indicates the presence of rules or laws governing something.

was governed

Signifies being controlled or directed by certain principles or powers.

was moderated

Suggests being kept within reasonable limits or levels.

was tethered

Implies a strong limitation or being tied to something, preventing freedom of movement or action.

FAQs

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

You can use "was restricted" to indicate that something was limited or confined in the past. For example: "Access to the area was restricted during the investigation."

What are some alternatives to "was restricted"?

You can use alternatives like "was limited", "was confined", or "was constrained" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "was restricted to" or "was restricted from"?

"Was restricted to" indicates the limitation to specific options or boundaries. "Was restricted from" indicates a prohibition. For example, "Access was restricted to members only" versus "Access was restricted from unauthorized personnel".

What is the difference between "was restricted" and "was limited"?

While both terms indicate a reduction, "was restricted" often implies an imposed constraint, whereas "was limited" can simply mean the extent or amount was reduced.