constrained
constrained — adjective
- constrainedpositive
- more constrainedcomparative
- most constrainedsuperlative
1. in a situation where rules, circumstances, or other people leave you with no rea
in a situation where rules, circumstances, or other people leave you with no real choice except to do something you would rather not do.
Rin felt constrained to accept the transfer even though she wanted to stay in Taipei.
feel + constrained + to-infinitive
The doctors were constrained by hospital policy to treat only urgent cases that night.
passive: be constrained by [policy] to + verb
Parents often feel constrained to follow school rules they privately disagree with.
Under the new contract, warehouse staff are constrained to work weekends whenever the manager demands it.
Chidi was constrained to withdraw his complaint after his supervisor threatened to block his promotion.
文法句型
be/feel constrained + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive (be constrained) or with feel (feel constrained). The to-infinitive that follows describes the unwanted action.
常見錯誤
2. describing behaviour, a way of speaking, or an atmosphere that feels forced, sti
describing behaviour, a way of speaking, or an atmosphere that feels forced, stiff, and not natural, often because of nervousness or formality.
Lucía's constrained smile did not hide the sadness in her eyes.
constrained smile / laugh / manner
The conversation at the dinner table felt constrained and awkward after the argument.
Sven gave a constrained wave as he slipped out of the room during the speech.
Diego's writing style became more constrained after his editor told him to follow rigid guidelines.
The atmosphere in the board room was constrained, with no one willing to speak their mind.
用法筆記
Describes visible behaviour or atmosphere rather than internal feelings. Unlike sense 1 (FORCED TO ACT), this sense does not take a to-infinitive — it directly modifies nouns like 'smile', 'tone', 'atmosphere', etc.
常見錯誤
constrained — verb
- constrainedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- constraineds3rd person singular
- constraineding-ing form
- constrainededpast simple
1. to put limits, rules, or restrictions on someone or something so that they are f
to put limits, rules, or restrictions on someone or something so that they are forced to act or operate within narrow boundaries — for example, a tight budget that constrains a school to cut its art programmes, or government rules that constrain how a factory operates.
Budget cuts constrained the school to reduce its art and music programmes by half.
Emily feels constrained by the strict dress code at her new office in Seoul.
feel + constrained by [rule / restriction]
The new environmental law constrains factories to lower their carbon emissions by twenty percent.
Small family businesses are often constrained by regulations that favour large corporations.
The contract constrains the developer to finish the building before the rainy season starts.
The company's growth is constrained by a lack of skilled workers in the region.
Faisal's creativity was constrained by the rigid curriculum at the university.
文法句型
constrain + noun + to-infinitive
be constrained by + noun
用法筆記
Often passive (be constrained by). The subject constrained is typically an organisation, agent, or person whose freedom of action is limited. The to-infinitive states the action they are forced to take.
常見錯誤
2. to keep someone or something within fixed physical boundaries, preventing free m
to keep someone or something within fixed physical boundaries, preventing free movement or growth — for example, being constrained to a wheelchair after an injury, or a plant whose roots are constrained by a small pot.
Mayumi was constrained to a wheelchair for three months after breaking her hip.
be constrained to [a place / device]
The prisoners were constrained in tiny cells for twenty-three hours a day.
After the accident, Tomas's left arm was constrained in a heavy plaster cast for six weeks.
The gardener realised the tree's roots were constrained by the narrow concrete planter.
During the pandemic, international travel was heavily constrained by border closures and quarantine rules.
文法句型
constrain + noun + to + place
be constrained in + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (LIMIT BY RULES): this sense emphasises physical confinement or limitation of movement/space, not rule-based restrictions. Common with 'to' (+ place or device) and 'by' (+ limiting factor).
常見錯誤
3. to press something tightly together so that it becomes smaller, narrower, or hel
to press something tightly together so that it becomes smaller, narrower, or held in a fixed shape — typically describing materials, objects, or body parts under physical pressure.
The machine constrains the metal pipe into a flat strip for recycling.
constrain + [material] + into [new shape]
Eshe's lower spine became constrained by years of sitting in a poor posture at her desk.
The walls of the canyon constrain the river into a narrow, fast-moving channel.
When you constrain the spring between two metal plates, it stores elastic energy.
The hot glass is constrained inside a steel mould until it takes the correct shape.
文法句型
constrain + noun + in/inside + container
be constrained between + noun
用法筆記
This sense is most common in engineering, materials science, and technical writing. It describes physical compression or restriction of objects, not people or abstract rules. For general audiences, 'compress' or 'squeeze' are more natural alternatives.
常見錯誤
4. to produce a sound, expression, or reaction in a forced, artificial way — holdin
to produce a sound, expression, or reaction in a forced, artificial way — holding back genuine emotion and showing something that looks or sounds unnatural.
Layla constrained a laugh so as not to offend her aunt during the serious speech.
Jude constrained his voice to a flat monotone throughout the tense negotiation.
constrain + [voice / sound / expression]
The actor constrained his natural accent to sound like a native of Brooklyn.
Asher constrained a huge sigh of relief while his boss was still in the meeting room.
As the principal began to speak, Kenji constrained his voice to a quiet murmur so only Mei could hear him.
文法句型
constrain + noun (sound/expression)
用法筆記
Only sense where 'constrained' functions as a transitive verb with a direct object (constrain a laugh, constrain one's voice) to describe actively producing a forced reaction. The direct object is always a sound or expression. In contrast, adjective sense 2 (STIFF AND UNNATURAL) modifies nouns descriptively and never takes a direct object.