verb · academic
constrain
/kənˈstreɪn/con·STRAIN
to limit or restrict someone or something, or to force someone to behave in a particular way
Examples
“Budget limits constrain the government's ability to invest in infrastructure.”
“Students may feel constrained by strict exam rules.”
“Use 'constrain' in Task 2 when discussing limits or pressures on groups or policies.”
Band 8 sentence
“Environmental regulations, while necessary, may constrain short-term industrial growth but benefit society long-term.”
Collocations
- constrain by budget
- constrain growth
- constrain behaviour
Word family
Common mistakes
translate as 'constraint' when a verb is needed: "The law is constraint by..."→"The law is constrained by..." or better "The law constrains..."
use 'limit' in all formal contexts: "The policy limits investment" instead of "constrains"→both correct but 'constrain' is more formal in essays
Say it for a higher band
5limit→6restrict→7+constrain
Synonyms
restrict
limit
Easily confused
restrict
“The school restricts mobile phone use during lessons.”
limit
“The speed limit on the road is 60 km/h.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Sublist 10
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