was restricted to

USAGE SUMMARY

"was restricted to" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was limited to a certain range of things. For example: "The sale was restricted to customers with a valid loyalty card."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Initially, plague was restricted to cities.

The New York Times - Health

Gaming was restricted to casinos.

The Guardian - Opinion

Motif length was restricted to 6 nucleotides.

Nature

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

The Guardian

Fresh pasta was restricted to ravioli, stuffed pasta and tortellini.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now he was restricted to the bushes outside his house.

The New Yorker

During this period, life was restricted to the world's oceans.

University of California, Berkeley

Their palette was restricted to khakis and mustards.

The New York Times - Style

As it was, the election was restricted to registered Democrats.

The New Yorker

The k-space sampling was restricted to the Γ-point.

Nature

Breast cancer analys is was restricted to female participants.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was restricted to", ensure the limitation is clearly defined and the reason for the restriction is evident, providing context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "was restricted to" without specifying what the restriction entails. Always provide the context or criteria that define the limitation to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was restricted to" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating a limitation or confinement. It describes the state of something being limited to a specific range, context, or condition. Ludwig examples demonstrate this usage across various subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was restricted to" is a versatile and commonly used expression indicating a limitation or confinement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness in written English. It is most frequently found in scientific and news-related contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure the scope of the restriction is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "was limited to" or "was confined to" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was limited to

Indicates a direct synonym, focusing on the aspect of limitation.

was confined to

Emphasizes the aspect of being physically or metaphorically enclosed or bounded.

was narrowed to

Highlights the act of reducing the scope or range of something.

was subject to

Suggests that something is under the control or influence of a particular condition.

was exclusive to

Implies that something is only available or applicable to a specific group or situation.

was specific to

Highlights the particular or precise nature of the restriction.

was earmarked for

Indicates that something has been set aside for a specific purpose or recipient.

was designated for

Suggests a formal or official assignment to a specific purpose or category.

applied solely to

Emphasizes that something is applicable only to the mentioned subject, excluding others.

pertained only to

Highlights that something relates exclusively to the specified subject matter.

FAQs

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

Use "was restricted to" to indicate that something was limited or confined to a specific scope, area, or group. For example, "Access to the building was restricted to employees only."

What are some alternatives to "was restricted to"?

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

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

Both "was limited to" and "was restricted to" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Restricted" often implies a rule or regulation, while "limited" suggests a natural constraint.

What does it mean when something "was restricted to" a specific area?

It means that the thing in question was only allowed or available within that specific area, and not outside of it. This could be due to regulations, limitations, or specific conditions.