we were prevented from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were prevented from" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing a situation where an action was not allowed or hindered. Example: "We were prevented from attending the meeting due to unforeseen circumstances." Alternative expressions include "we were stopped from" and "we were barred from."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"We were prevented from doing that by A.M.S.F.C. because of lobbying by the recreational fishery.

The New York Times

So I think at this point in history, and the evolution of the industry, and the evolution of science, it would be a shame if we were prevented from doing that by short term populist thinking about drug cost.

Cornell University

We were prevented from encountering arguments examining how this idea of "more" (or, in economic terms, of a surplus) contributed fundamentally to the systemic inequalities that define capitalist societies.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Since we were prevented from selling the art in November, we have been missing the interest on that money every day," said Brenda Edson, a spokeswoman for the college.

The New York Times - Arts

Women were (and often still are) paid less than men for equivalent work and have had our careers strangled by geographical moves that benefited our partners' prospects while we were prevented from building up personal savings.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We were prevented from bringing in that legislation into the last government because of the coalition with the Liberal Democrats and we are determined to bring that through, because we believe that is necessary to maintain the capabilities for our law enforcement agencies such that they can continue to do the excellent job, day in and day out, of keeping us safe and secure".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"We would be prevented from doing so; we are prevented from doing so".

The Guardian

"Without forthright information from the F.B.I., we are prevented from taking the critical steps needed to protect the American public".

The New York Times

We're having job reductions, offices closing, and the increased targets mean we're prevented from taking the time we need on calls.

The Guardian

When we are prevented from hanging our flags because a St George's cross isn't a corporate sponsor's logo we know Fifa values its contracts more.

The Guardian - Opinion

"If anything good comes from this, it would be to reform the system where we're prevented from telling one another what we know out of fear, quite frankly, of being sued".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were prevented from", ensure the reason for the prevention is clear to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, "We were prevented from entering the building due to a security breach".

Common error

Avoid excessive use of passive constructions like "we were prevented from". Sometimes, it is more direct and impactful to state who or what caused the prevention. For instance, instead of "We were prevented from accessing the data", consider "The firewall prevented us from accessing the data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were prevented from" functions as a clause element, specifically indicating that a subject (in this case, "we") was obstructed or hindered from performing a particular action. As noted by Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were prevented from" is a grammatically correct and commonly used construction that indicates an obstruction or hindrance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage. Predominantly found in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts, this phrase effectively communicates a limitation on agency. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying the reason for the prevention and consider alternative phrasing to avoid overuse of the passive voice. By understanding the grammatical function, communicative purpose, and contextual register, writers can effectively leverage this phrase in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were barred from

Replaces "prevented" with "barred", indicating a stronger prohibition.

we were prohibited from

Uses "prohibited" instead of "prevented", suggesting a formal ban.

we were stopped from

Employs "stopped" offering a more direct and less formal alternative.

we were restrained from

Suggests a holding back, often implying a physical or legal constraint.

we were kept from

Uses "kept" which conveys a sense of obstruction or hindrance.

we were blocked from

Implies a direct obstruction, as if a path was made impassable.

we were unable to

Focuses on the inability to act, rather than the external prevention.

circumstances prevented us from

Specifies that circumstances were the cause for the prevention.

we lacked the opportunity to

Shifts the focus to the absence of an opportunity.

factors hindered us from

Highlights that various factors caused the obstruction.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we were prevented from" to sound more formal?

You can use more formal alternatives such as "we were prohibited from" or "we were restrained from" depending on the context.

What's a less formal way to say "we were prevented from"?

A less formal option includes phrases like "we were stopped from" or "we were kept from".

Is it grammatically correct to use "we were prevented to" instead of "we were prevented from"?

No, "we were prevented to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is "we were prevented from" followed by a gerund (verb ending in -ing) or a noun.

What's the difference between "we were prevented from" and "we were unable to"?

While both indicate an inability to do something, "we were prevented from" implies an external force or circumstance hindering the action, while "we were unable to" simply states a lack of capacity or means, regardless of cause.