act as a constraint

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "act as a constraint" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing limitations or restrictions that influence behavior or outcomes in various contexts, such as in project management, design, or decision-making. Example: "The budget will act as a constraint on the project's scope and timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It's not an integral part of the way we shape our social practices, nor a significant enough cultural norm to act as a constraint on our behaviour.

The Guardian

We demanded an independent judiciary, because we believed that democracy and prosperity are impossible without the rule of law, and that the rule of law requires a judiciary that can act as a constraint on the government.

The Guardian - Opinion

To the extent they act as a constraint on its behaviour towards its neighbours, which has in recent months at times verged on the belligerent, that may be no bad thing.

The Economist

Rather, the body can act as a constraint on cognition, and as a distributor for cognitive processing (see Section 3).

SEP

Rather, he places his hope in the shared moral concepts of the citizenry, which act as a constraint upon the choices of the sovereign.

SEP

If I am right, the profit-seeking interests of companies act as a constraint on those policy-makers and organizations that seek improved labor market outcomes for workers.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The Israeli presence in Lebanon acted as a constraint against an escalation of tensions with Syria, as troops in the zone were exposed to retaliation from the Hezbollah.

The New York Times

It wasn't just that Trump had spoken admiringly of Putin, and that he appeared to share his basic calculus of power, in which force is what matters, and neither the law, nor the media, nor any political norm acts as a constraint on the leader and his will.

The New Yorker

The advection diffusion equation along with the boundary conditions of the photobioreactor acts as a constraint in solving the kinetics equation.

Biomass and Bioenergy

The requirement that the mental and material outcomes of an actual occasion must match, i.e. be correlated, acts as a constraint on the way in which these outcomes are formed within the actual occasion (cf. Stapp 2006).

SEP

These results show that although chimpanzees are capable of spontaneous cooperation in a novel instrumental task, tolerance acts as a constraint on their ability to solve such cooperative problems.

Animal Behaviour

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "act as a constraint", ensure the context clearly defines what is being limited or restricted. For example, "budget limitations act as a constraint on project scope".

Common error

Avoid using "act as a constraint" without specifying what it constrains. Saying "the rules act as a constraint" is less effective than "the new regulations act as a constraint on resource allocation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "act as a constraint" functions as a verb phrase that describes the role or effect something has in limiting or restricting something else. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical standing and diverse applicability across contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "act as a constraint" is a versatile phrase used to describe something that limits or restricts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "serve as a restriction" or "function as a limitation" exist, it is important to specify what is being constrained for clarity. This phrase effectively communicates limitations and restrictions across various fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serve as a restriction

Emphasizes the limiting effect, similar to "act as a constraint".

function as a limitation

Highlights the role or purpose of something in creating limits.

work as an impediment

Focuses on the hindering or obstructive nature of something.

impose a restriction

Highlights the active imposition of a limit, rather than a passive role.

place limitations on

Emphasizes the active placement of limits on something.

create a boundary

Focuses on establishing a defined limit or border.

form an obstacle

Highlights the obstructive nature, something that blocks progress.

act as a deterrent

Focuses on discouraging or preventing an action.

inhibit progress

Stresses the slowing down or hindering of advancement.

hamper development

Emphasizes the hindrance of growth or advancement, often in a developmental context.

FAQs

How can I use "act as a constraint" in a sentence?

Use "act as a constraint" to indicate something that limits or restricts an action or outcome. For example, "Limited funding may "act as a constraint" on the project's development".

What are some alternatives to "act as a constraint"?

You can use alternatives like "serve as a restriction", "function as a limitation", or "impose a restriction" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "act as a constraint" or "serve as a constraint"?

"Act as a constraint" and "serve as a constraint" are often interchangeable. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Act" implies a direct role, while "serve" suggests a function.

What's the difference between "act as a limit" and "act as a constraint"?

"Act as a limit" and "act as a constraint" are similar. "Limit" refers to a maximum quantity or extent, while "constraint" refers to any factor that restricts or controls. Therefore, a constraint can take different forms beyond just a limit.