were constrained

USAGE SUMMARY

"were constrained" is a grammatically correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It means that the subject(s) of the sentence were forced or limited to do something. Example: The students were constrained by the strict rules of the school, which prevented them from expressing themselves freely.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Customers were constrained.

The New York Times

Wages councils were constrained.

The Guardian

These women were constrained only by their corsets.

The Guardian

Certainly, Champlain's founding ideas — like Jefferson's — were constrained.

The New York Times

Even they, after all, were constrained by "man's fallen state".

The New York Times - Books

"Both Red and Blue were constrained during the exercise," said one military officer.

The New York Times

The architects of Dayton were constrained by the political reality of the time.

The Guardian - Opinion

The politicians were constrained by the effect of a run on their political careers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Resources were constrained and prices reduced to below cost, but still demand grew.

The Guardian

Thirty-one crew members drowned along with four of the prisoners who were constrained below decks.

The Guardian - Travel

The Ligeti songs were constrained by the cultural populism of Communist Hungary at the end of World War II.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were constrained", ensure the context clearly indicates what the limiting factor or force is. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "were constrained" when a weaker term like "influenced" or "affected" is more appropriate. "Were constrained" implies a significant limitation, not just a minor impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were constrained" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject experienced a limitation or restriction imposed by an external force or circumstance. Ludwig's examples show its usage in various contexts to describe limitations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were constrained" is a passive voice phrase used to express that something or someone experienced limitations or restrictions. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and is found very commonly in various sources. Its usage spans from formal scientific papers to news articles, suggesting versatility across different registers, although it tends towards more formal contexts. Remember to clearly identify the limiting factors when using this phrase to maintain clarity and impact. When a milder expression of influence is more fitting, consider alternatives like "were influenced" to avoid exaggerating the extent of limitation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were restricted

Emphasizes limitations placed on actions or abilities.

were limited

Highlights a finite quantity or scope.

were compelled

Focuses on being forced or obliged to do something.

were obliged

Similar to 'compelled', but often implies a sense of duty or moral obligation.

were forced

Highlights the imposition of an external will.

were bound

Suggests a legal or moral obligation that restricts freedom.

were inhibited

Focuses on a psychological or emotional restriction.

were checked

Suggests a stopping or slowing of progress or action.

were curbed

Implies a reduction in excess or undesirable behavior.

were subject to

Indicates being under the power or influence of something.

FAQs

How can I use "were constrained" in a sentence?

You can use "were constrained" to indicate that someone or something was limited or restricted in some way. For example, "The company's growth plans "were constrained" by a lack of funding."

What is a good alternative to "were constrained"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "were limited", "were restricted", or "were forced" as alternatives to "were constrained".

Is it better to use "were constrained" or "was constrained"?

Use "were constrained" when referring to a plural subject, and "was constrained" when referring to a singular subject. For example, "The options "were constrained"" (plural) versus "The decision "was constrained"" (singular).

What's the difference between "were constrained" and "were influenced"?

"Were constrained" implies a significant limitation or restriction, while "were influenced" suggests a more subtle effect or guidance. If something truly limited the options, use "were constrained". If it only had an impact, use "were influenced".