were restricted

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Their movements were restricted.

The New York Times

Capital flows between rich economies were restricted.

The Economist

It was nice, but you were restricted.

The New York Times - Magazine

Movements within the hospital were restricted.

The New York Times

The F.B.I.'s powers were restricted.

The New York Times

"He never thought the boundaries were restricted.

The Guardian

The Nobles, though, were restricted to Dresden.

The New York Times

Israeli Palestinians were restricted in any expression of nationalist feeling.

The Guardian - Books

For the next week, they were restricted to six hours.

The New York Times - Health

Toilet breaks were restricted; mistakes earned you a shouting-at.

The Guardian - Opinion

By July, butter, margarine, lard and tea were restricted.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were restricted", ensure the context clearly indicates what was restricted and the reason for the restriction. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were restricted by" when "were restricted" already implies an external force or regulation. Adding "by" can sometimes lead to redundant phrasing, making the sentence less concise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were restricted" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject experienced a limitation or control imposed by an external force. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were restricted" is a versatile phrase used to indicate limitations or controls imposed on a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides ample real-world examples across diverse fields such as news, science, and general media. While alternatives like "were limited" or "were constrained" exist, "were restricted" effectively conveys the sense of imposed limitations. Ensure clarity by specifying what was restricted and the reason behind it to avoid ambiguity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were limited

Focuses on the extent of the limitation, suggesting a boundary was set.

were constrained

Emphasizes the forces or factors that imposed the restriction.

were confined

Highlights the physical or metaphorical boundaries imposed.

were curtailed

Indicates a reduction or shortening of something.

were regulated

Implies control through rules or laws.

were governed

Suggests control or influence by a specific authority.

were subject to limitations

Formally states that limitations were imposed.

were under control

Highlights that actions are being managed or kept in check.

were prohibited

Indicates something was disallowed or forbidden.

were not allowed

Simple and direct way of expressing that something was not permitted.

FAQs

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

Use "were restricted" to indicate that something was limited or controlled. For example, "Access to the building "were restricted" to authorized personnel only."

What are some alternatives to "were restricted"?

You can use alternatives such as "were limited", "were constrained", or "were confined" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "were restricted" or "was restricted"?

"Were restricted" is used for plural subjects, while "was restricted" is used for singular subjects. For instance, "Movements "were restricted"," but "Access "was restricted"."

What's the difference between "were restricted" and "were prohibited"?

"Were restricted" implies limitations or controls, while "were prohibited" means something was completely forbidden. Thus, "were prohibited" is a stronger term indicating a ban.