  In this work we analyze constrained superfields in supersymmetry and
supergravity. We propose a constraint that, in combination with the constrained
goldstino multiplet, consistently removes any selected component from a generic
superfield. We also describe its origin, providing the operators whose
equations of motion lead to the decoupling of such components. We illustrate
our proposal by means of various examples and show how known constraints can be
reproduced by our method.
