at a maximum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a maximum" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the highest limit or the greatest extent of something. Example: "The project budget is set at a maximum of $50,000 to ensure we stay within our financial constraints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Future inflation-linked rises are capped at a maximum of 2.5% a year.

The Guardian - Business

The typhoon was rated at a maximum category five.

Independent

The Segways are in beginner's "turtle mode" and will go at a maximum speed of 4.5mph.

The Guardian - Tech

The same is not true for relative humidity, which is at a maximum outdoors during winter.

The New York Times - Health

Now most dividends are taxed at a maximum rate of 15percentt.

The New York Times

Vehicles were also ordered to travel at a maximum 20kph in the city.

The Guardian

With solar activity at a maximum, more occur south of that line.

The New York Times

Long-term capital gains on securities are also taxed at a maximum rate of 15percentt.

The New York Times

Interest on loans to military personnel has been capped at a maximum of 36% APR.

The Guardian - Money

We should put up with all that while aiming at a maximum 1.5C rise?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

And I should know — I work at a maximum-security hospital for the criminally insane".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at a maximum" to clearly specify the highest possible value or extent in contexts where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "at a maximum" when describing a range without a clear upper limit; instead, use "up to" or "as much as" to better reflect the open-ended nature of the range.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a maximum" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify an upper limit or the greatest possible extent of something. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage as such.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a maximum" is a common and grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to specify an upper limit or the greatest possible extent. As Ludwig AI validates, it's versatile across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. To ensure clarity, use it when specifying boundaries and consider synonyms like "at most" for brevity or "up to" when implying a range. Avoid using it in situations where an open-ended range is more appropriate. With consistent usage across authoritative sources, "at a maximum" is a reliable choice for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at most

Replaces the phrase with a shorter, more direct synonym.

at the most

Adds slight emphasis but retains the original meaning.

up to

Indicates a limit that should not be exceeded.

no more than

Emphasizes that the quantity or value cannot be higher.

to the maximum

Slightly rephrases the structure while preserving the meaning.

maximum

Uses the noun form, implying the greatest possible amount.

not exceeding

A more formal way to indicate a limit.

no exceeding

Highlights the limit as something not to be surpassed.

the upper limit is

Explicitly states the existence of a maximum boundary.

at the upper end

Implies a range with the maximum being the highest point.

FAQs

How do I use "at a maximum" in a sentence?

Use "at a maximum" to specify the upper limit or highest possible value, like "The project's budget is set "at a maximum" of $10,000."

What phrases can I use instead of "at a maximum"?

You can use alternatives like "at most", "up to", or "no more than" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "at a maximum" or "maximum"?

"At a maximum" is typically used within a sentence to specify a limit, whereas "maximum" can stand alone as a noun or adjective. For example, "The speed limit is "at a maximum" of 60 mph," versus "The maximum speed is 60 mph."

What is the difference between "at a maximum" and "at least"?

"At a maximum" indicates the highest possible quantity or limit, while "at least" indicates the lowest acceptable quantity or starting point. They represent opposite ends of a spectrum.