be of limited applicability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be of limited applicability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the relevance or usefulness of a concept, rule, or finding in specific situations or contexts. Example: "The results of this study may be of limited applicability to larger populations due to the small sample size."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

They may, however, be of limited applicability in studying brain mechanisms related to such distinctive tactile activity as Braille reading.

Journal of Neuroscience Methods

This means that any concept of consent which focuses on defining 'data' which have been collected will be of limited applicability (section 14).

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

But is it churlish to point out that advice that begins "When I was a Rhodes scholar" may be of limited applicability to a broader audience--and even more so when the issue is finding one's purpose in life?

Huffington Post

Reports of these restricted trials may be of limited applicability.

British Medical Journal

Consequently, the model may only be of limited applicability to pathogens such as Clostridium difficile and Acinetobacter baumannii where environmental contamination is thought to play an important role in the transmission of infection.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Seven studies were undertaken in a single isolation room within the critical care unit [ 11, 18, 19, 22, 23, 26, 29] and may therefore be of limited applicability to general critical care practice.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Currently, the description of supercritical gas flow in these flow regimes is mostly limited to simple tube and channel geometries that are of limited applicability to the sponge-like or platy nanoporous geometry in organic matter or clays.

International Journal of Coal Geology

Many of the renewable energy resources are of limited applicability due to their reliability, quality, quantity, and density.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

Nevertheless, it is of limited applicability since participation into a programme is seldom determined according to this rule.

Journal of Econometrics

Many resource planning studies have been conducted in less developed areas of Mexico, but these are of limited applicability to economies in rapid transition facing tremendous internal developmental pressure, such as in the state of Jalisco.

Landscape and Urban Planning

While the original paper reported generalizability and dependability coefficients based on the design of our traveling subjects study (in which each subject was scanned twice at each of eight sites), those coefficients are of limited applicability outside of the reliability study context.

NeuroImage

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be of limited applicability", clearly state the specific context or situation where the limitation applies to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid stating that something "is of limited applicability" without specifying to what it is limited. Always provide context to clarify the scope of the limitation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be of limited applicability" functions as a qualifier, indicating that a particular concept, method, or finding has restricted or constrained usefulness. Ludwig shows examples of its use in academic and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

13%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be of limited applicability" is a useful qualifier when discussing the scope and relevance of findings, methods, or concepts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and most commonly found in scientific and academic contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure you specify the constraints or conditions to which the applicability is limited, thereby enhancing clarity. Alternatives such as "have restricted relevance" or "lack broad applicability" can provide similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack broad applicability

Directly states the absence of wide-ranging usefulness.

have restricted relevance

Focuses on relevance rather than general usefulness.

possess narrow utility

Emphasizes the practical value and its constraints.

exhibit reduced effectiveness

Highlights a decrease in the desired outcome or result.

prove somewhat ineffective

Highlights the ineffectiveness in certain situations.

offer marginal benefit

Suggests that the advantages are small or barely noticeable.

show restricted scope

Focuses on the breadth of what it covers.

demonstrate constrained application

Draws attention to the limitations in how it can be applied.

have finite application

Emphasizes the end or limit of application.

present a confined scope

Indicates a limited range or extent of coverage.

FAQs

How can I use "be of limited applicability" in a sentence?

Use "be of limited applicability" to express that something's usefulness or relevance is restricted to certain situations. For example, "The study's findings may "be of limited applicability" to patients with pre-existing conditions".

What are some alternatives to "be of limited applicability"?

You can use alternatives such as "have restricted relevance", "lack broad applicability", or "possess narrow utility" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "be of limited applicability"?

It's appropriate when you need to convey that a concept, method, or result is not universally useful or relevant and that its effectiveness is constrained by certain factors or contexts.

What makes "be of limited applicability" different from "be of questionable applicability"?

"Be of limited applicability" suggests that something has some use but not broadly, while "be of questionable applicability" implies more doubt about its usefulness altogether.