Cool MatePrevent vs Prohibit
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Prevent
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Prohibit
FormalTop 5,000 (fairly common)B2verb
Most formal: ProhibitMost common: Prevent
| Prevent | Prohibit | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/prɪˈvent/","/prɪˈvents/","/prɪˈventɪd/","/prɪˈventɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/prɪˈvent/","/prɪˈvents/","/prɪˈventɪd/","/prɪˈventɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //prəˈhɪbɪt//🇺🇸 //prəˈhɪbɪt// |
| Meaning | To stop something from happening. | To not allow something. |
| Example | We need to prevent accidents on the road. | The law will prohibit the use of mobile phones while driving. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | effectively, reliably, successfully, be able to, be unable to, can, from, aimed at preventing something, action to prevent something, measures to prevent something | prohibit access, prohibit use, prohibit behavior |
| Antonyms | allow, permit, facilitate | allow, permit, enable |
| Common mistakes | Incorrectly using 'prevent' without an object, e.g., 'prevent from accidents' instead of 'prevent accidents from happening'., Using the wrong preposition, like 'prevent to' instead of 'prevent from'., Confusing 'prevent' with 'avoid'; 'prevent' is more about stopping something from occurring. | Confused with 'ban' - 'prohibit' is often used in formal settings., Using 'prohibit' with an infinitive instead of a gerund (e.g. 'prohibit smoking' not 'prohibit to smoke'). |
| Usage notes | Use 'prevent' when discussing actions that stop negative events. It is neutral, appropriate for everyday conversation. Avoid in very formal writing; use 'prohibit' or 'forbid' instead. | Use 'prohibit' in formal contexts such as laws or regulations. It is often more severe than 'forbid'. |
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Frequently asked questions: Prevent vs Prohibit
What's the difference between Prevent and Prohibit?
Prevent: To stop something from happening. Prohibit: To not allow something.
Which is more formal: Prevent and Prohibit?
Prohibit is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Prevent and Prohibit?
Prevent is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Prevent and Prohibit?
Prohibit is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Prevent and Prohibit the same CEFR level?
Prevent: A2, Prohibit: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Prevent and Prohibit?
Prevent: verb, Prohibit: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Prevent: We need to prevent accidents on the road. Prohibit: The law will prohibit the use of mobile phones while driving.
Can I use Prevent and Prohibit interchangeably?
Not always. Prevent and Prohibit are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.