What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
proscribe
Example
The government proscribed the use of certain chemicals in food production. [proscribed: past tense]
Example
The school board proscribed the use of cell phones during class hours. [proscribing: gerund or present participle]
ban
Example
The government banned the sale of cigarettes to minors. [banned: past tense]
Example
The company banned the use of social media during work hours. [banning: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ban is more commonly used than proscribe in everyday language. Ban is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while proscribe is less common and refers to formal or legal prohibitions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between proscribe and ban?
Proscribe is typically associated with a more formal or legal tone, while ban can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
