it was banned vs It was restricted

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'It was banned' implies that something was completely prohibited, while 'it was restricted' suggests that something was limited in some way. The choice between the two depends on the severity of the action taken.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 710 views

it was banned

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something has been completely prohibited.

Use 'it was banned' when referring to something that has been completely prohibited or made illegal.

Examples:

The book was banned in several countries.
The use of plastic bags was banned in the city.
The movie was banned for its controversial content.

Show examples from the web [+]

It took a decade of bureaucratic and industry heel-dragging before it was banned.
In the USA, it was banned in 1997.
We in the EU are allowing this situation to continue, although it was banned in 1991.
And you know why it was banned?
l wanted to take part in his peace marathon, but since it was banned l couIdn't.
The Blue Ice oil tanker - which the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has banned from entering the EU - has used the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife after the date upon which it was banned.
On my television show, I once did a segment that aired once and only once, before it was banned, called "Shark Party." All right?
It was banned from music in the Middle Ages.
It was banned following a training accident, sir.
It was banned because the sound was so beautiful... so seductive.
Since it was banned, the opposition has taken on a radical form.
Chlorofluorocarbons, used in aerosol products like hair spray in the '70s, before it was banned.
In 2003, after my studies, it was banned in the European Union, but in that same year, the United States EPA re-registered the compound.
In Riga the LGBT march will take place on 3 June, while it was banned in 2006 and allowed in 2005 but was disrupted by violent counter-demonstrators.
Personally, I think it is particularly important that literature from Eastern Europe - literature that is unknown because, in many cases, it was banned for a long time - should be recognized and distributed in the European Union too.
It was banned because it was so beautiful... that all the virgins fell in love and got themselves seduced.
Today, transgenic beetroot pulp has been marketed in the Netherlands even though its commercialization was banned.
If it was for banned books you would have gone a long time ago and I would not have opened the door.
But when I found out it was on the banned substance list,
And music was banned from Atlantica forever.

Alternatives:

it was prohibited
it was forbidden
it was outlawed
it was censored
it was blocked

It was restricted

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something has been limited in some way.

Use 'it was restricted' when referring to something that has been limited or controlled in its use or availability.