boundary

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'boundary' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an established limit or point of separation. For example, "The new law has set a stricter boundary on carbon emissions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The latest evolution of tobacco company strategies involves new nicotine products that make smoking attractive and confound the boundary between toxic and less toxic uses.

The Guardian

When he first started putting men in pussy-bow blouses, there was muttering about boundary pushing and it was dismissed as experimental London fashion by some factions.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"In the second attempt, an immature female, which nested 5 metres [16ft] from the boundary of the moor, laid two eggs in Northumberland but the eggs were not viable despite the female incubating for the full term and the male provisioning her well.

The Guardian

The England No3 then clubs her first boundary straight down the ground, just beating the dive of Jonassen, and follows it up with another, this one singeing the fingers of the bowler before being tossed over the rope courtesy of some pretty miserable fielding down on the boundary, with Jonassen this time the guilty party.

The Guardian - Sport

Jonassen, who bowled that second over of the England innings, welcomes her with a clubbing straight blow for six, then a cut for four after England switch their boundary fielders.

The Guardian - Sport

There, the boundary between war and peace is blurred; "frozen conflicts" is a synonym for wars without end.

The Guardian

It has a delightful flower-fringed swimming pool with bar, and a small private beach on the other side of the boundary wall.

The Guardian - Travel

It is aimed also at stemming the drift that has seen Labour and the Lib Dem's cosying up together on Europe, constituency boundary changes and media regulation post-Leveson.

The Guardian

The best way to think about the remaining tribes in 2011 is to imagine a series of concentric circles, all of which interact on each boundary.

The Guardian

But I don't want the boundary broken down".

The Guardian

Shaiman Anwar thumped two sixes as he top scored with 30 before giving O'Brien a simple caught and bowled chance, while the UAE's hopes were undermined by their failure to find the boundary on a regular basis.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about abstract concepts, use "boundary" to define the limits of discussion or scope. For example, "The boundary of this research focuses on post-war reconstruction efforts."

Common error

Don't use "boundary" interchangeably with "limit" in all contexts. "Boundary" implies a clear separation or demarcation, while "limit" suggests a constraint within an existing space.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "boundary" is as a noun. It denotes a limit, edge, or dividing line between two areas or concepts. Ludwig examples show it referring to physical boundaries, abstract limits, and demarcations in various fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

20%

Travel

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "boundary" functions primarily as a noun, used to denote a limit or dividing line. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Usage is common in contexts like News & Media, Sport, and Travel. To ensure proper usage, remember that "boundary" implies a clear separation and is not always interchangeable with "limit". Related terms include "limit", "border", and "edge". By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use "boundary" to enhance clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limit

Focuses on the extent to which something is allowed or possible.

border

Emphasizes the line separating political or geographical regions.

edge

Highlights the outer point or line of something.

perimeter

Refers to the total length around a closed figure or area.

demarcation

Stresses the act of setting or marking limits or boundaries.

dividing line

Specifies the line that separates two things.

outer limit

Highlights the furthest extent or degree.

confines

Implies restrictions or limitations of a space or area.

threshold

Indicates the point at which something begins or changes.

extent

Focuses on the range or scope of something.

FAQs

How is "boundary" used in a sentence?

The word "boundary" can refer to a dividing line between two areas, a limit, or an edge. For example, "The fence marks the boundary between our properties."

What's the difference between "boundary" and "border"?

"Boundary" generally refers to any dividing line or limit, while "border" often implies a political or geographical dividing line between countries or regions. A "border" is a specific type of boundary.

Which are the most common synonyms for "boundary"?

Some common synonyms for "boundary" include "limit", "edge", "border", "perimeter", and "demarcation", each carrying slightly different nuances.

How to use "boundary" when talking about personal relationships?

In the context of personal relationships, "boundary" refers to the emotional and physical limits a person establishes to protect themselves. For instance, "It's important to set clear boundaries in any relationship."