we were forbidden to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were forbidden to" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to express that someone or a group of people were not allowed to do something. Example: We were forbidden to enter the building without proper identification.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

We were forbidden to pray aloud.

The New York Times

We were forbidden to date or pursue romantic relationships with anyone living within our mission territory.

The New York Times

"We were forbidden to speak about our activities among each other, even off duty.

The New York Times

And we were forbidden to do anything so vulgar as to leak any news to the press.

The New York Times - Style

We were forbidden to engage in physical contact beyond a handshake with any member of the opposite sex.

The New York Times

Because of religious prejudices that neither of us understood, we were forbidden to play with each other.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Poetry has the capacity to remind us of something we are forbidden to see.

The Guardian - Books

We are forbidden to shout "fire" in a crowded theater when there is no fire.

The New York Times

We are forbidden to leave the place so the four of us hide near the marsh.

The New York Times - Books

A guy pulls down his pants and bares his soul, and we are forbidden to have thoughts?

The New Yorker

In a moment, behind the curtain of trees, something that we are forbidden to witness will begin.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were forbidden to", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what authority imposed the restriction.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect tenses (e.g., "we are forbidden to" when referring to a past event) or mismatched subject-verb agreement (e.g., "I were forbidden to").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were forbidden to" functions as a declarative statement expressing a prohibition or restriction. It indicates that a group was not permitted to perform a certain action. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were forbidden to" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express that a group was prohibited from doing something. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and suitable for written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, but is also found in formal and scientific contexts. While "we were forbidden to" is a clear and effective way to communicate a restriction, alternatives such as "we were not allowed to" or "we were prohibited from" can offer subtle variations in tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were not allowed to

Uses a more direct and common synonym for "forbidden", focusing on permission.

we were prohibited from

Emphasizes a formal prohibition, often by a rule or law.

it was against the rules for us to

Highlights the violation of established regulations if the action were performed.

we were under a ban to

Indicates a formal or official restriction was in place.

we were prevented from

Focuses on the act of stopping or hindering an action.

we were restricted from

Highlights limits or boundaries set on our actions.

we had no permission to

Emphasizes the lack of authorization for a specific action.

we were barred from

Suggests a formal exclusion or obstruction.

we couldn't do

Simple and direct way to express inability due to external restrictions.

doing that was out of the question for us

Indicates that the action was completely unacceptable or impossible.

FAQs

How can I use "we were forbidden to" in a sentence?

Use "we were forbidden to" to express that you and others were not allowed to do something. For example, "We were forbidden to speak during the ceremony."

What are some alternatives to "we were forbidden to"?

You can use alternatives like "we were not allowed to", "we were prohibited from", or "we were restricted from" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "we were forbidden to" or "we were not allowed to"?

"We were forbidden to" generally sounds more formal than "we were not allowed to". The choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

What's the difference between "we were forbidden to" and "we were not supposed to"?

"We were forbidden to" implies a strict prohibition, while "we were not supposed to" suggests a recommendation or expectation that was not followed. The former is stronger and more definitive.