What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
forbid
Example
I forbid you from going to that party. [forbid: verb]
Example
The teacher forbade talking during the exam. [forbade: past tense of forbid]
disallow
Example
The judge disallowed the evidence presented by the defense. [disallowed: past tense of disallow]
Example
The company policy disallows the use of personal devices at work. [disallows: present tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Forbid is more commonly used than disallow in everyday language, making it a more versatile word for expressing prohibition.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between forbid and disallow?
Both forbid and disallow can be used in formal or informal contexts, but disallow may be more appropriate in legal or official settings due to its specific meaning and origin.
