Inhibit vs Prohibit: Differences And Uses For Each One

Are you confused about when to use “inhibit” and when to use “prohibit”? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. These two words are often used interchangeably, but they actually have different meanings and uses.

Let’s clarify the definitions of each word. “Inhibit” means to hinder, restrain, or prevent something from happening or progressing. “Prohibit” means to forbid, ban, or make something illegal.

So, which one should you use in different situations? The answer is, it depends on the context and what you are trying to convey.

In general, “inhibit” is used when you want to describe something that is being slowed down or prevented from happening naturally. For example, you might say that a certain chemical compound inhibits the growth of bacteria in a petri dish. In this case, the growth of bacteria is being hindered or slowed down by the chemical compound.

On the other hand, “prohibit” is used when you want to describe something that is being completely forbidden or made illegal. For example, you might say that smoking is prohibited in the workplace. In this case, smoking is not just being slowed down or hindered, it is completely forbidden.

It’s important to use the correct word in order to convey your intended meaning accurately. In the rest of this article, we’ll explore some common usage scenarios for “inhibit” and “prohibit” and provide examples to help you understand the difference.

Define Inhibit

Inhibit is a verb that means to hinder, restrain, or prevent something from happening or progressing. It can also refer to the act of suppressing or holding back a natural process or reaction.

For example, a medication may inhibit the growth of bacteria, or fear may inhibit someone from speaking in public.

In a psychological context, inhibition can refer to the conscious or unconscious suppression of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors.

Define Prohibit

Prohibit is a verb that means to forbid, ban, or make something illegal or against the rules. It is often used in a legal or regulatory context, and can refer to actions taken by authorities or institutions to restrict certain behaviors or activities.

For example, a city may prohibit smoking in public parks, or a school may prohibit students from using cell phones during class.

Prohibition can also refer to historical periods in which the sale, manufacture, or consumption of alcohol was illegal, such as the Prohibition era in the United States from 1920 to 1933.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Choosing the right word is crucial in effective communication. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use the words inhibit and prohibit in a sentence.

How To Use “Inhibit” In A Sentence

The word “inhibit” means to hinder, restrain, or prevent something from happening. Here are some examples of how to use “inhibit” in a sentence:

• The bad weather inhibited us from going on our camping trip.
• The new medication inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
• His fear of failure inhibited him from pursuing his dreams.

As you can see, “inhibit” is used to describe something that prevents or hinders an action or process. It can be used in various contexts, such as in science, medicine, and psychology.

How To Use “Prohibit” In A Sentence

The word “prohibit” means to forbid, ban, or disallow something. Here are some examples of how to use “prohibit” in a sentence:

• The school prohibits students from using their phones during class.
• The law prohibits smoking in public places.
• The company policy prohibits employees from discussing salaries with each other.

As you can see, “prohibit” is used to describe something that is not allowed or forbidden. It is often used in legal, academic, and corporate settings.

Remember, using the right word can make a big difference in the clarity and effectiveness of your communication. By understanding the differences between “inhibit” and “prohibit,” you can use them correctly in your writing and speech.

More Examples Of Inhibit & Prohibit Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the differences between inhibit and prohibit, it is important to see how they are used in real-life examples. Here are some sentences that demonstrate the correct usage of both words:

Examples Of Using Inhibit In A Sentence

• The medication should not inhibit your ability to drive.
• He was inhibited by his fear of failure.
• The rain will inhibit our ability to play outside.
• Her shyness inhibited her from speaking up in class.
• The new law will inhibit the growth of small businesses.
• The chemical reaction was inhibited by the presence of oxygen.
• The bad weather inhibited our travel plans.
• The language barrier inhibited communication between the two groups.
• The high cost of living inhibits many people from pursuing their dreams.
• The lack of funding inhibited the progress of the research project.

Examples Of Using Prohibit In A Sentence

• The school prohibits the use of cell phones during class.
• The law prohibits smoking in public places.
• The sign prohibits parking in this area.
• The company policy prohibits employees from using social media during work hours.
• The rules prohibit players from using performance-enhancing drugs.
• The contract prohibits the disclosure of confidential information.
• The government prohibits the sale of certain types of firearms.
• The regulations prohibit the disposal of hazardous waste in landfills.
• The building code prohibits the construction of buildings without proper permits.
• The treaty prohibits the use of chemical weapons in warfare.

By examining these examples, it is clear that inhibit and prohibit have distinct meanings and should be used appropriately in different contexts. Inhibit refers to something that hinders or restrains, while prohibit refers to something that is forbidden or not allowed. Both words are important to know and understand in order to communicate effectively and accurately.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the English language, there are a lot of words that sound similar but have different meanings. Two of the most commonly confused words are inhibit and prohibit. While they may seem interchangeable, using them incorrectly can lead to confusion and misunderstandings. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using Inhibit When You Mean Prohibit

One of the most common mistakes people make is using inhibit when they really mean prohibit. Inhibit means to hinder, restrain, or prevent something from happening, while prohibit means to forbid or make something illegal. For example:

• Incorrect: The school inhibits students from wearing hats.
• Correct: The school prohibits students from wearing hats.

Using inhibit in this context implies that wearing hats is still allowed, but discouraged or made difficult. Prohibit, on the other hand, makes it clear that wearing hats is not allowed under any circumstances.

Using Prohibit When You Mean Inhibit

The opposite mistake is also common: using prohibit when you really mean inhibit. For example:

• Incorrect: The medication prohibits the growth of bacteria.
• Correct: The medication inhibits the growth of bacteria.

In this case, using prohibit implies that the medication makes it illegal for bacteria to grow, which is obviously not the case. Inhibit is the correct word to use here because it means to hinder or prevent something from happening.

Using Them Interchangeably

Finally, some people use inhibit and prohibit interchangeably, even when they don’t really mean the same thing. It’s important to remember that these words have distinct meanings, and using them incorrectly can lead to confusion. To avoid this mistake, always double-check that you’re using the right word for the situation.

To summarize, the key to avoiding mistakes when using inhibit and prohibit is to understand their meanings and use them correctly. Don’t use them interchangeably, and make sure you’re using the right word for the situation. With a little practice, you’ll be able to use these words confidently and correctly.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words “inhibit” and “prohibit,” context matters. Both words refer to the act of preventing or stopping something from happening, but their usage can vary depending on the situation.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between inhibit and prohibit might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Correct Word Choice
Medical	The drug is designed to _____ the growth of cancer cells.	inhibit
Legal	The law _____ the sale of cigarettes to minors.	prohibits
Academic	The school has a policy that _____ plagiarism.	prohibits
Scientific	The study found that caffeine can _____ the absorption of iron.	inhibit

As you can see from the examples above, the choice between inhibit and prohibit can depend on the specific context and the intended meaning. In medical contexts, inhibit is often used to refer to the slowing or blocking of a biological process, while in legal or academic contexts, prohibit is often used to refer to the explicit forbidding of an action or behavior.

It’s important to consider the context when choosing between these two words to ensure that your writing is clear and accurate.

Exceptions To The Rules

Identifying Exceptions

While the rules for using inhibit and prohibit are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where they might not apply. It’s important to be aware of these exceptions so that you can use the words correctly in all contexts.

One exception to the rules is when using the words in a legal context. In legal language, the words inhibit and prohibit can have very specific meanings that differ from their everyday usage. For example, in some legal contexts, the word inhibit might refer to a temporary restriction, while the word prohibit might refer to a permanent ban. It’s important to be familiar with the legal jargon in your specific field to ensure you are using the words correctly.

Another exception to the rules is when using the words in a scientific context. In science, the words inhibit and prohibit might be used to describe the effects of certain chemicals or drugs on biological processes. In this context, inhibit might refer to a partial restriction, while prohibit might refer to a complete blockage. Again, it’s important to be familiar with the specific scientific language in your field to use the words correctly.

Offering Explanations And Examples

Let’s take a closer look at each of these exceptions and explore some examples:

Legal Context

Word	Everyday Usage	Legal Usage
Inhibit	To hinder or restrain	To temporarily restrict
Prohibit	To forbid or ban	To permanently ban

For example, in a legal context, a judge might issue an injunction to inhibit a company from using a certain trademark for a period of time, but ultimately prohibit the company from ever using the trademark again.

Scientific Context

Word	Everyday Usage	Scientific Usage
Inhibit	To hinder or restrain	To partially restrict
Prohibit	To forbid or ban	To completely block

For example, in a scientific context, a drug might be designed to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, meaning it slows down the growth but does not completely stop it. Another drug might be designed to prohibit the growth of cancer cells, meaning it completely blocks the growth.

By understanding these exceptions and their specific contexts, you can use the words inhibit and prohibit correctly and effectively in your writing.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have a clear understanding of the differences between inhibit and prohibit, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice. Below are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these two words in sentences.

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (inhibit or prohibit) to fill in the blank in each sentence below:

1. The new law will __________ smoking in all public places.
2. His fear of heights __________ him from climbing the ladder.
3. The medication is designed to __________ the growth of cancer cells.
4. The company has a policy that __________ employees from using social media during work hours.
5. Her shyness __________ her from speaking up in meetings.

Answers:

1. prohibit
2. inhibit
3. inhibit
4. prohibits
5. inhibits

Exercise 2: Sentence Rewrites

Rewrite the following sentences using either inhibit or prohibit:

1. Using cell phones is not allowed in the library.
2. Her fear of failure stopped her from taking risks.
3. The drug slows down the growth of cancer cells.
4. Employees are not allowed to use social media during work hours.
5. His lack of confidence prevented him from speaking up in meetings.

Answers:

1. Cell phone use is prohibited in the library.
2. Her fear of failure inhibited her from taking risks.
3. The drug inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
4. Employees are prohibited from using social media during work hours.
5. His lack of confidence inhibited him from speaking up in meetings.

By completing these exercises, you should have a better understanding of how to use inhibit and prohibit correctly in sentences. Keep practicing and soon it will become second nature!

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the differences between “inhibit” and “prohibit” is crucial for effective communication. While both words refer to preventing something from happening, they are not interchangeable. “Inhibit” implies a hindrance or obstacle, while “prohibit” indicates a complete ban or restriction.

It is important to use these words correctly in both written and spoken language to avoid confusion and misunderstandings. Additionally, using proper grammar and language enhances credibility and professionalism in all forms of communication.

Key Takeaways:

• “Inhibit” means to hinder or slow down a process, while “prohibit” means to ban or forbid completely.
• Using the wrong word can lead to confusion and misunderstandings.
• Proper grammar and language use is crucial for effective communication and professionalism.

Remember, language is constantly evolving, and there is always more to learn. By continuing to expand your knowledge and understanding of grammar and language use, you can become a more effective communicator and enhance your professional image.