be circumscribed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be circumscribed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is limited or restricted by certain boundaries or conditions. Example: "The project scope will be circumscribed by the available budget and timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

That responsibility cannot be circumscribed by statute".

The New York Times

It shouldn't be circumscribed by the evidence.

The New York Times - Science

Loosely connected, autobiographical in feel, they may be circumscribed by lived rather than imagined experience.

The New York Times - Books

Unfortunately, his guile and initiatives are bound to be circumscribed by the regime's ideology.

The New York Times

The Parthenon's facade is said to be circumscribed by golden rectangles, though some scholars argue that this is a coincidence.

The Guardian - Arts

Mine is a generation that believes it is the first to refuse to be circumscribed by middle age.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

And any Cunningham devotee will recall urban studies like his "CRWDSPCR," in which the movement of one human being is circumscribed by that of others.

The New York Times - Arts

Their existences were circumscribed by poverty.

The New York Times

Her life is circumscribed by the walls of her room.

The New York Times - Health

But it necessarily is circumscribed by the Establishment Clause.

Cornell University

Yet Mr. Thiebaud has never been circumscribed by his locale.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be circumscribed by", ensure the limiting factor is clearly identified to maintain clarity and precision in your writing. For example, "The budget is circumscribed by the funding available."

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "be circumscribed by" in very informal settings can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "limited by" or "restricted by" for everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "be circumscribed by" is to act as a passive verb phrase indicating that a subject is limited or restricted by a specified factor. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used in formal writing to denote constraints.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be circumscribed by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate that something is limited or restricted. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most common in formal contexts such as news, academia, and science. While it effectively conveys constraints, simpler alternatives like "be limited by" may be more appropriate for informal settings. Remembering to clearly specify the limiting factor will ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be restricted by

Expresses direct limitation or constraint on something.

be limited by

Indicates a boundary or maximum extent that cannot be exceeded.

be constrained by

Implies being forced to act within certain restrictions or limitations.

be governed by

Suggests control or regulation by a set of rules or principles.

be defined by

Indicates that something's characteristics or scope are determined by specific factors.

be shaped by

Suggests influence and modification by certain forces or factors.

be bound by

Implies a legal or moral obligation to adhere to certain constraints.

be influenced by

Indicates that something is affected or modified by external factors.

be dictated by

Implies that decisions or actions are controlled by specific requirements or demands.

be subject to

Suggests that something is vulnerable to or contingent upon certain conditions.

FAQs

What does "be circumscribed by" mean?

The phrase "be circumscribed by" means to be limited or restricted by certain boundaries, conditions, or rules. It suggests that something's scope or freedom is contained within specific parameters.

How can I use "be circumscribed by" in a sentence?

You can use "be circumscribed by" to show how something is restricted. For instance, "The project's success will "be circumscribed by" available resources" indicates that the project is limited by the resources at hand.

What are some alternatives to "be circumscribed by"?

Alternatives to "be circumscribed by" include "be limited by", "be restricted by", or "be constrained by". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "be limited by" or "be circumscribed by"?

Both "be limited by" and "be circumscribed by" are correct, but "be circumscribed by" is more formal. Use "be limited by" in casual contexts and "be circumscribed by" in more formal or academic writing.