bans
B2Formal, Legal, Media, Everyday (when discussing rules/laws)
Definition
Meaning
Officially or formally prohibits (something); forbids.
A plural noun referring to official prohibitive rules or laws, often in the context of public policy, social media, or products.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Strongly implies an official or authoritative prohibition, not just personal disapproval. Often used for public, institutional, or legal contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Slight preference in UK for 'ban' in public health/safety contexts (e.g., smoking bans). US media may use more frequently for cultural/political prohibitions.
Connotations
Both carry authority, but can imply controversy (e.g., 'book bans' in US education debates).
Frequency
Comparable frequency; high in news/policy discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] bans [Object] (e.g., The council bans plastic bags).[Subject] bans [Object] from [Activity/Place] (e.g., The school bans students from using mobiles).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Lift/raise the ban (to end a prohibition)”
- “Clamp down with a ban (to impose strictly)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to trade embargoes, product restrictions, or workplace policy prohibitions.
Academic
Used in social/political science discussing prohibition policies.
Everyday
Common in news about public health/safety rules (e.g., parking bans).
Technical
In IT/online communities, refers to blocking users or content.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The local council bans single-use plastics in all shops.
- The headteacher bans mobile phones on school premises.
American English
- The state bans the sale of flavored vaping products.
- The platform bans users who violate its community guidelines.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The school bans phones in class.
- Many countries ban smoking in restaurants.
- The new law bans plastic bags to help the environment.
- The social media site bans hate speech.
- The government imposed strict bans on importing certain goods.
- Several cities have introduced bans on diesel vehicles in their centres.
- Despite widespread criticism, the controversial bans on certain books remain in place in some districts.
- The proposed bans on algorithmic trading were debated heatedly in parliament.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BANS' are like official BARRICADES saying NO ENTRY.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROHIBITION IS A WALL/BARRIER.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'бан' (financial bank) – false cognate.
- Do not confuse with 'запрещает' (generic 'forbids'); 'ban' implies official/public authority.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'bans' for personal refusals (e.g., 'My mum bans me' – better: 'forbids').
- Misspelling as 'banns' (marriage announcements).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'bans' most appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while often official, any authoritative body (schools, companies, platforms) can 'ban' something within its jurisdiction.
'Ban' is more formal/public and often involves rules/laws. 'Forbid' can be personal or general (e.g., 'I forbid you', 'rules forbid').
No, 'bans' is the plural of the noun 'ban' or the third person singular present tense of the verb 'to ban' (e.g., He bans...).
Yes, the past tense and past participle are both 'banned' (e.g., They banned it last year. It has been banned).