Prescribe and proscribe do not mean the same thing. In some circumstances, it may be very important to know exactly which word to use. Most people are probably familiar with prescribe because it is the correct word for ‘to issue a prescription for medicine’.
Prescribe
- to recommend or authorise the use of
- to state authoritatively or lay down as a rule
Proscribe
- to prohibit or forbid
- to condemn or denounce; to outlaw or banish
My suggestion for remembering which word to use is to associate prescribe with yes and proscribe with no.
Hannah McCall 
Hmm! I don’t think I’ve ever used proscribe in my life! I’m really enjoying your posts!
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Thank you! Yes, it isn’t particularly common – and I think that’s why it sometimes causes people to get in a pickle.
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That’s a good reminder.
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I’m glad you think so! Thanks.
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A good lesson that I can prescribe before someone proscribes me…
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Thank you! And I appreciate the usage demonstration. 🙂
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You are welcome and thanks for the follow
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and thanks to you for being my 200th follower 🙂
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I’m thrilled – congratulations!
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My pleasure Hannah
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