above the limit

USAGE SUMMARY

"above the limit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in all kinds of contexts, for example "The wind speed was above the limit, so we had to delay the sailboat race."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

above the limit, crashed on the Garden State Parkway, just outside of Atlantic City.

The New York Times

Individual bears have idiosyncratic speed thresholds that range from zero to ten miles above the limit.

The New Yorker

But in the end, families above the limit will be hit twice over.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I won't say that Bolton's approach was a surprise, but they went above the limit a few times.

The Guardian - Sport

As demand reaches and rises above the limit employment growth slows and then stops and inflation rises.

The Economist

It can seize products whose gluten level is above the limit, or require companies to recall products.

The New York Times - Health

Above the limit of cultivation, rough pastures are grazed extensively, and beyond them lies a zone of mountain vegetation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Those mortgages above the limit would have to be financed by private entities in the mortgage market.

The New York Times

From my office in Washington, I drove to Pat's home in McLean, Va., at speeds way above the limit to give him the news.

The New York Times

Under current city law, the couple pays the top rate, 3.648percentt, on only their income above the limit for the top bracket, which is $90,000.

The New York Times

The university recently raised the cap to 40 students from 35, but he often takes 5 to 10 above the limit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "above the limit", ensure the context clearly defines what limit is being referenced to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "above the limit" without clearly establishing the specific limit being exceeded. Always provide the reference point for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "above the limit" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to describe the degree to which something exceeds a specified boundary, threshold, or restriction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "above the limit" is a commonly used and grammatically sound prepositional phrase that describes exceeding a specified boundary or threshold. It is most frequently found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines the limit being referenced to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "beyond the boundary" and "over the threshold", each with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beyond the boundary

Emphasizes exceeding a specific boundary or demarcation.

over the threshold

Highlights crossing a critical point or level.

past the deadline

Specifically refers to exceeding a time-related limit.

in excess of the restriction

Focuses on surpassing a stated restriction or constraint.

beyond the permitted level

Implies exceeding an officially allowed or sanctioned amount.

exceeding the allowed quantity

Specifically indicates surpassing the permitted amount or number.

surpassing the maximum

Highlights going beyond the highest permissible value.

past the maximum permissible

Emphasizes that something is superior to the upper limit allowed.

above the acceptable level

Indicates a situation that is superior to the level considered to be admissable or passable.

more than the permitted

A more simplified alternative that means exceeding the quantity accepted or allowed.

FAQs

How can I use "above the limit" in a sentence?

The phrase "above the limit" indicates exceeding a specified boundary or threshold. For example, "The driver was fined for speeding because they were driving above the speed limit."

What's a formal alternative to "above the limit"?

In more formal contexts, you might use phrases like "beyond the permitted level" or "in excess of the restriction".

What does it mean when something is "above the limit"?

When something is described as "above the limit", it means it exceeds a certain established or legally defined boundary, restriction, or threshold.

Is it always negative to be "above the limit"?

Whether being "above the limit" is negative depends on the context. Often, as in the case of exceeding a speed limit or a pollution limit, it carries negative consequences. However, in contexts like exceeding sales targets, it can be positive.