cap

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "cap" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a noun, verb, or adjective. Example sentence: He placed a cap on his head to protect his head from the sun.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Assistant treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced on Thursday that in next week's budget the government would cap the amount that public hospital staff and workers in the not-for-profit sector could claim in meals and entertainment entitlements.

The Guardian

In a 2014 vote to cap immigration, for example, the question asked was: "Do you accept the popular initiative, 'Stop mass immigration'?

The Guardian

He wore a "Richmond Tea Party" baseball cap, as well as a Code Pink sticker saying "Make Out, Not War".

The Guardian

No 10 says the idea was trailed in the manifesto and Ed Miliband in principle had accepted the reform, albeit as part of a wider reform of political funding including a cap on individual donations.

The Guardian

Third, with the lifting of the cap on student numbers in 2015, now is a perfect chance for all institutions to be flexible.

The Guardian

While Labour's MP for Newcastle East and former Cabinet Minister, Nick Brown, declared that the idea was simply "cruel and stupid", in January the party was actively calling for the Government's overall benefit cap to differentiate between regions based on the fact that someone in the north would need less than someone in London.

The Guardian

In its submission AGL warned that an overall "cap" on emissions – or a national carbon "budget" – was essential.

The Guardian

Rudd said there was no cap or limit on the number of asylum seekers PNG had agreed to take, but he expected over time as people smugglers "got the message" the rate of arrivals would slow.

The Guardian

There was a two-year pay freeze after the coalition government came to power, followed by a 1% pay cap for all public sector workers in 2013/14 and 2014/15.

The Guardian

The removal of the cap on private patient income means trusts will be able to make more of their income from private patients, to the detriment of NHS patients because the private sector people will be more valuable.

The Guardian

The chancellor set out his decision to cap public sector pay rises at 1% a year for two years from 2013 on the back of a two-year pay freeze.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cap" in a financial context, be specific about what the limit applies to (e.g., spending, investment, debt).

Common error

Avoid using "cap" when you mean "capital", especially in financial or legal contexts. "Capital" refers to assets or resources, while "cap" refers to a limit or covering.

Linguistic Context

Cap functions primarily as a noun representing a limit or a covering, and as a verb meaning to impose a limit. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it follows standard grammatical rules and is widely used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

24%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "cap" is a versatile term functioning as a noun, verb, and initialism, indicating a limit, covering, or acronym. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It's commonly used in News & Media and Formal & Business settings to denote restrictions or physical coverings. To avoid confusion, remember that "cap" differs from "capital". For alternatives, consider words like "limit" or "ceiling", depending on the intended nuance. The sources reflect a high level of authority, making it a reliable and frequently used term in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limit

Focuses on restricting the amount or extent of something, similar to setting an upper limit.

ceiling

Implies an upper boundary that cannot be exceeded, akin to a maximum allowance.

cover

Emphasizes the act of protecting or concealing something, much like placing a lid or covering.

top

Refers to the uppermost part of something, similar to the physical "cap" of an object.

award a title

Specifies the action of bestowing a recognition, similar to awarding a "cap" in sports.

surpass

Highlights exceeding a certain level or achievement, akin to "capping" a previous record.

restrict

Implies a constraint or control, similar to putting a limit on something.

outdo

Focuses on exceeding someone else's performance or achievement, similar to surpassing or "capping".

seal

Emphasizes securing or closing something tightly, similar to using a "cap" to seal a container.

detonator

Refers to an explosive device used to trigger a larger explosion, where "cap" can also be used to define such device.

FAQs

How to use "cap" in a sentence?

You can use "cap" as a noun to refer to a limit, as in "There's a cap on the number of participants". As a verb, it means to set a limit, as in "We need to cap spending". It can also refer to a head covering or a dental crown.

What can I say instead of "cap" (limit)?

You can use alternatives like "limit", "ceiling", or "upper bound" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "cap" and "ceiling"?

"Cap" generally refers to a specific, often externally imposed, limit. "Ceiling", on the other hand, often implies a natural or inherent upper limit. For example, “a salary cap” vs “a glass ceiling”.

Is it correct to say "cap the budget" or "put a cap on the budget"?

Both phrases are correct. "Cap the budget" is more concise, while "put a cap on the budget" is more emphatic. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.