What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rationed
Example
During the war, sugar was rationed to ensure everyone had enough. [rationed: verb]
Example
The government rationed gasoline during the oil crisis. [rationed: past tense]
restrict
Example
The school restricts the use of cell phones during class. [restricts: verb]
Example
The company restricted access to sensitive information. [restricted: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Restrict is more commonly used than rationed in everyday language. Restrict is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while rationed is less common and refers specifically to the distribution of limited resources.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rationed and restrict?
Both rationed and restrict can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, restrict is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of situations, making it more commonly used in formal writing and speech.