be within acceptable limits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'be within acceptable limits' is correct and usable in written English.
It typically refers to staying within certain limits set by a governing body or group, or staying within the parameters of what is considered acceptable or satisfactory. For example, "The noise levels of the construction site must be within acceptable limits according to the city regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

The failure to report incidents outside of the practice was attributed to a number of factors, including a workplace culture that mistakes were deemed to be "within acceptable limits even though in fact if one was to have the hard evidence and comparative with what's going on on a national basis, you might find that you are a complete outlier" (GP7).

BMJ Open

Officials deemed this to be within acceptable limits.

The Economist

Any resulting death and destruction, as well as regional blowback, will be within acceptable limits.

The New York Times

Distortion of the parabola due to wind loading was found to be within acceptable limits.

Solar Energy

First, a small house was brought down in 2001; tests afterward found air quality to be within acceptable limits.

The New York Times

In order to keep water distribution uniformity at an appropriate value, pressure and flow rate variations of emitters along a lateral should be within acceptable limits.

Biosystems Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

When considered over all, Mr. Blair's correction rate at The Times was within acceptable limits.

The New York Times

An out-of-straightness assessment was first conducted to ensure that eccentricities were within acceptable limits.

Composites Part B: Engineering

Skin doses measured on the trial patients were within acceptable limits.

Medical Dosimetry

However, the resulting error is within acceptable limits when the deviation is less than 30°.

Journal of Hydrology

However, he cautions that some states still have a ways to go before wait times are within acceptable limits.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing technical reports or scientific papers, use "be within acceptable limits" to clearly communicate that certain parameters or results fall within predefined or expected ranges.

Common error

Don't assume that because something is "within acceptable limits" it is necessarily ideal or optimal. Acceptability implies a minimum standard is met, not that the best possible outcome has been achieved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be within acceptable limits" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a particular value, measurement, or condition meets the required or expected standards. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

23%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be within acceptable limits" is commonly used to express that something meets a minimum standard or falls within a tolerable range. As Ludwig AI indicates, its grammatical structure is correct, and it finds frequent application in scientific, news, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to remember that "acceptable" doesn't necessarily equate to "optimal"; it merely signifies that a defined threshold has been met. Consider alternatives like "fall within acceptable bounds" or "conform to the required standards" for nuanced communication. Common pitfalls include assuming acceptability implies superiority. Understanding these nuances ensures precise and effective communication in various professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall within acceptable bounds

Replaces "limits" with "bounds", implying a boundary or range.

stay within permissible boundaries

Substitutes "acceptable" with "permissible" and "limits" with "boundaries", suggesting that something is allowed.

remain within tolerable levels

Replaces "acceptable" with "tolerable" and "limits" with "levels", indicating that something can be endured.

conform to the required standards

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal expression indicating compliance with specific criteria.

meet the necessary criteria

Suggests that certain conditions have been satisfied or fulfilled.

align with established guidelines

Indicates adherence to a set of rules or recommendations.

adhere to the specified parameters

Implies strict compliance with certain defined characteristics.

comply with the stipulated regulations

Focuses on following legal or official rules.

satisfy the prescribed conditions

Highlights the fulfillment of mandatory requirements.

pass the required threshold

Emphasizes exceeding a minimum acceptable value or standard.

FAQs

How can I use "be within acceptable limits" in a sentence?

You can use "be within acceptable limits" to indicate that something meets the minimum required standards or falls within a tolerable range. For example, "The test results must "fall within acceptable range" to be considered valid".

What's a more formal way to say "be within acceptable limits"?

More formal alternatives include "conform to the required standards" or "comply with the stipulated regulations", which are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it always good if something "is within acceptable limits"?

Not necessarily. Being within acceptable limits means meeting a minimum requirement, but it doesn't guarantee optimal performance or quality. It simply indicates that the threshold of acceptability has been reached.

What is the difference between "be within acceptable limits" and "be within permissible limits"?

"Be within acceptable limits" suggests something meets general standards of approval, while "be within permissible limits" implies something is allowed according to specific rules or regulations. Permissible suggests a higher level of formal authorization.