a limit at which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a limit at which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific threshold or boundary in various contexts, such as scientific, mathematical, or metaphorical discussions. Example: "There is a limit at which the material can withstand pressure before it begins to deform."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

There is a limit at which things are palatable.

Independent

"There's a limit at which we will be asking people to watch a piece of theatre rather than a piece of television drama.

The Guardian

Such legislation, the report said, "would have the advantage of providing a positive legislative standard defining a limit at which corporative accretions in size and power would be halted in order to prevent monopoly".

The New York Times

The analysis of experimental results shows that the transient methods are less suitable for measuring the thermal conductivity of low-density silica powders, especially for the cases when the density is less than a limit at which the heat transfer by radiation becomes dominant compared to pure conduction.

Energy and Buildings

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Improved accuracy is achieved with a linear variation of the incremental amplification factor between a lower limit at the onset of inelastic behaviour and an upper limit at which plastic collapse occurs.

Engineering Structures

On the other hand, if the pressure declines, there is an economic limit at which the cost of compression exceeds the value of the recovered gas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This study sought to identify a critical strain limit at which conditions indicative of Strain induced boundary migration (SIBM) could be effectively triggered for the experimental Ni-based superalloy over a set range of thermal-mechanical parameters.

Materials Science and Engineering: A

The corresponding peak RF magnetic field Hpk on the niobium cavity surface is approaching the intrinsic RF critical magnetic field Hcrit,RF, a hard physical limit at which superconductivity breaks down.

Physica C: Superconductivity

These can be used to set an upper or lower limit at which a stock could be bought or sold.

WikiHow

The LOD of a method is the lowest quantity of a substance that can be distinguished from its absence (blank value) within a stated confidence limit, and the LOQ of a method is the limit at which the difference between two different values can be determined.

Natural Products and Bioprospecting

There is a maximum rate set by the Eddington limit at which a black hole can accrete matter before the heating of the infalling gas results in so much outward pressure from radiation that the accretion stops.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When defining technical parameters, use "a limit at which" to clearly specify the threshold where a condition changes or a process is affected.

Common error

While grammatically sound, avoid using "a limit at which" in casual conversation; simpler terms like "when" or "where" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a limit at which" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun, defining a specific threshold or boundary. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and effective in technical and formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a limit at which" precisely defines a threshold or boundary where a change occurs. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and commonly used in scientific, news, and encyclopedia contexts. While effective for technical writing, simpler alternatives may be better suited for casual use. Best practice involves using it when precision is key, and avoiding overuse in informal settings. Its formal register suits academic and professional discourse. It's particularly effective in setting clear conditions where something begins or ends.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a threshold where

Replaces "limit" with "threshold" for a more nuanced boundary.

a point beyond which

Emphasizes exceeding a specific point or condition.

a boundary where

Substitutes "limit" with "boundary", focusing on the edge of something.

a maximum level at which

Specifies an upper constraint or ceiling.

a critical juncture where

Highlights a decisive moment or turning point.

the extent to which

Focuses on the degree or range something continues.

a constraint under which

Highlights a restriction influencing outcomes.

the stage at which

Shifts focus to the time or phase when something occurs.

a condition whereupon

Highlights how one thing hinges on another.

a termination point for

Stresses the idea of bringing an activity to an end.

FAQs

How can I use "a limit at which" in a sentence?

Use "a limit at which" to define a threshold or boundary where something changes, ceases, or becomes something else. For instance, "There's "a limit at which" the material can withstand pressure before it deforms."

What are some alternatives to saying "a limit at which"?

You can use alternatives like "a threshold where", "a point beyond which", or "a boundary where" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to use "a limit at which" or can I simplify the sentence?

While "a limit at which" is grammatically correct, you can often simplify the sentence without losing meaning. For example, instead of ""a limit at which" the temperature rises", you could say "when the temperature reaches a limit".

In what contexts is "a limit at which" most appropriate?

The phrase "a limit at which" is suitable for technical or formal writing where precision is important, such as scientific reports, legal documents, or engineering specifications. It may be less appropriate in informal contexts.