are constrained to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are constrained to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating limitations or restrictions placed on someone or something. Example: "Due to budget cuts, we are constrained to a smaller project scope this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a constrained distributed lag model where lags 0 and 1 are constrained to have the same effect, lags 2 and 3 are constrained to have the same effect, and so on (Armstrong 2006; Schwartz et al. 2004).

Environmental Health Perspectives

In recent decades, a debt market has emerged that states are constrained to submit to.

The Guardian

Those orbits, moreover, are constrained to have particular radiuses, and thus particular energy levels.

The Economist

With tighter tissues, older runners are constrained to choppy strides and, in general, a slower pace.

The New York Times

Valuation bubbles are constrained to just a few segments so far".

The New York Times

They are constrained to follow Supreme Court precedent, and most of their work consists of unanimously disposing of routine cases.

The New York Times

This is characteristic of all solids; their atoms are constrained to stay roughly in the same position at all times.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All estimates are constrained to sum to zero.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

The lobes are constrained to match well data.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

WiFi methods are constrained to areas where there are wireless WiFi Access Points.

TechCrunch

The grid lengths Δx and Δz are constrained to Δx=Δz=0.1227c/ω pe.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are constrained to", ensure that the subject clearly identifies what is being limited or restricted. For example, "Resources are constrained to a specific budget."

Common error

Avoid using "are constrained to" with an ambiguous or unclear subject. Instead of saying "Things are constrained to improve", specify what "things" refers to: "Market conditions are constrained to improve with new regulations."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are constrained to" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is being acted upon or limited by an external force or set of conditions. It's commonly used to express restrictions or limitations. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

23%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are constrained to" is a versatile phrase used to express limitations, restrictions, or obligations, with Ludwig AI confirming its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, this passive verb phrase effectively communicates boundaries or imposed conditions. Alternatives such as "are limited to" or "are restricted to" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. Always ensure that the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. With its frequent appearance in diverse sources, "are constrained to" is a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are limited to

Focuses on the boundary or scope of something, indicating a restriction in quantity or range.

are restricted to

Highlights the act of imposing a limit, often by an external authority or rule.

are bound by

Emphasizes the obligatory nature of the constraint, suggesting a legal or moral obligation.

are subject to

Suggests that something is exposed to the possibility of being affected by a particular condition or rule.

are obliged to

Stresses the sense of duty or necessity in adhering to a constraint.

are compelled to

Highlights the element of force or pressure that causes adherence to a constraint.

are forced to

Similar to compelled, but suggests a more immediate and direct application of force.

must adhere to

Emphasizes the act of sticking firmly to a set of rules or conditions.

must comply with

Indicates the necessity of acting in accordance with certain regulations or standards.

are required to

Highlights the formal requirement or expectation of adhering to specific conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "are constrained to" in a sentence?

Use "are constrained to" to indicate limitations or restrictions. For example: "Project resources "are limited to" the allocated budget."

What's a formal alternative to "are constrained to"?

A more formal alternative is "are restricted to". This phrase is suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is there a difference between "are constrained to" and ""are limited to""?

While similar, "are constrained to" emphasizes a restriction imposed by some force or circumstance, whereas ""are limited to"" simply indicates a boundary or upper limit.

Can "are constrained to" imply obligation, and what are some alternatives?

Yes, in certain contexts, "are constrained to" can imply obligation. Alternatives like "are obliged to" or "are required to" might be more suitable in those cases.