constrain

/kənˈstreɪn/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈstreɪn/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈstrān/ (ame, mw)

constrain — 動詞

  • constrainpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • constrainshe / she / it
  • constrainedpast simple
  • constraining-ing form

1. to put a limit on how something can develop, be done, or change — for example, w

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

限制；約束

限制發展或行動範圍

to put a limit on how something can develop, be done, or change — for example, when a shortage of money stops a school from hiring enough teachers, or when rules control what companies are allowed to do.

例句

The drought severely constrained the amount of food that local farmers could grow.

乾旱嚴重限制了當地農民能夠種植的糧食數量。

constrain + noun phrase (amount of food)

It was frustrating for the team to be constrained by such tight deadlines.

團隊受到如此緊迫的截止日期限制，令人感到十分挫折。

passive: be constrained by [deadline/limit]

同義詞
  • restrict

    More common in everyday English; used especially for rules and physical limits

  • limit

    The broadest and most common word; covers any boundary on size, amount, or ability

  • curb

    More formal; suggests actively holding something back, often something undesirable

反義詞
  • free

    To remove limits or restrictions

  • liberate

    To set free from constraints, often in a broader or more formal sense

文法句型

constrain + noun phrase

be constrained by + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently used in the passive voice. The subject is typically an external factor such as a budget, law, space, or rule — not a person who actively restricts someone. Common in formal, academic, and professional writing.

常見錯誤

❌The new dress code constrained employees to wear formal clothes.
✅The new dress code required employees to wear formal clothes.
💡'constrain' is about limiting options, not about stating a simple requirement.
❌She constrained the door with a heavy lock.
✅She secured the door with a heavy lock.
💡'constrain' is not used for physically locking or blocking something in everyday English.

2. to put pressure on someone so that they must act or choose in a certain manner b

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

迫使；強迫

迫使做不願做的事

to put pressure on someone so that they must act or choose in a certain manner because of a rule, promise, duty, or set of circumstances — for example, when a contract obliges a business to deliver goods by a certain date, or when a promise stops someone from sharing secret information.

例句

The contract constrained Pim to deliver the goods by the end of March.

合約強迫 Pim 必須在三月底前交貨。

constrain + pronoun + to-infinitive

Judges are constrained to apply the law exactly as it is written.

法官被迫嚴格按照法律條文來適用法律。

passive: be constrained to + infinitive

同義詞
  • force

    Stronger and more direct; can describe personal or physical pressure

  • compel

    Similar register to 'constrain'; often used in legal or formal contexts

  • oblige

    Less strong; suggests duty rather than strict limitation of choice

反義詞
  • free

    To release from an obligation or limitation

  • release

    To let someone go from a duty or promise

文法句型

be constrained to + infinitive

feel constrained to + infinitive

用法筆記

Most common in the passive voice followed by a to-infinitive ('be constrained to do something'). The agent of the constraint is usually an obligation, promise, contract, or circumstance — not typically another person. 'Feel constrained to' adds a sense of personal reluctance.

常見錯誤

❌Her parents constrained her to study every evening.
✅Her parents forced her to study every evening.
💡'constrain' is not typically used with a person as the active agent of pressure; use 'force' or 'make' instead.
❌I constrained him to come to the party.
✅I persuaded him to come to the party.
💡'constrain' implies a serious limitation of choice, not casual persuasion.