a maximum of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a maximum of" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to indicate something in the highest amount, number, or degree. For example: "The roof can only support a maximum of five people at once."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Probably a maximum of four.

The Guardian - Music

"We take a maximum of 20 guests.

The Guardian - Travel

Treatment lasts a maximum of six months.

The Guardian

Let's say a maximum of 12 explosions".

The Guardian - Film

Aim for a maximum of two pages.

The Guardian

A maximum of three attempts is allowed.

The New York Times

GeneCodis50 supports a maximum of two lists.

Nature

They each weighed a maximum of 10kg.

The Guardian

A maximum of 40 iterations was used.

Nature

You may select a maximum of 5.

Harvard University

Awards are a maximum of $25,000.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a maximum of" to clearly specify the upper limit or highest permissible value in a given context. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Be careful not to use "a maximum of" when you intend to specify the lowest acceptable value. Double-check your sentences to ensure you're indicating the highest, not the lowest, limit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a maximum of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically indicating an upper limit or the highest permissible quantity. As shown in Ludwig examples, it is used to quantify and restrict the amount of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a maximum of" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to denote an upper limit or the highest permissible amount. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. As demonstrated through numerous examples, it finds application across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. When writing, remember to use it to precisely indicate quantity and avoid confusion with similar expressions like "at least". Ensure clarity and accuracy by choosing "a maximum of" when you need to define the upper boundary of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at most

Directly conveys an upper limit, similar to "a maximum of".

a limit of

Directly states that there is a boundary or restriction.

no more than

Similar to "at most", but may carry a slightly more negative connotation.

limited to

Highlights the restriction or constraint in place.

maximum

Uses the noun form to indicate the highest permissible or possible level.

up to

Indicates a limit, but may not explicitly state that it's the highest possible amount.

capped at

Implies an official or predetermined limit.

not exceeding

A more formal way of expressing an upper limit.

ceiling of

Implies an upper limit that cannot be surpassed.

peak of

Suggests the highest point or degree attained.

FAQs

How can I use "a maximum of" in a sentence?

You can use "a maximum of" to specify an upper limit or the highest permissible value, like "The room can accommodate "a maximum of" 50 people".

What's a simple way to rephrase "a maximum of"?

You could use alternatives such as "at most" or "no more than" to convey a similar meaning. For example, "You can spend at most 2 hours on the task".

Is it grammatically correct to say "the maximum of" instead of "a maximum of"?

While "the maximum" can refer to a general concept, "a maximum of" is used to specify a particular limit within a context. Therefore, "a maximum of" is generally preferred when stating a quantifiable limit.

What's the difference between "a maximum of" and "up to"?

"A maximum of" specifies the highest possible limit, while "up to" indicates a limit that can be reached but not exceeded; it doesn't necessarily mean it's the highest possible value. For example, "The project can cost "a maximum of" $1000" means it cannot exceed that amount, while "The project can cost up to $1000" suggests it might cost less.