cap at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cap at" is not commonly used in written English.
It is more commonly used in spoken English. It means to limit or restrict something to a certain amount or level. Example: Our budget for this project is capped at $10,000.

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

They would put a cap at 50.

The New York Times

The damage was hidden under the brown cap at center.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Despite the frenzy, he kept the cap at $900 million.

The New York Times - Tech

Willie wore a filthy flat cap at all times.

The Guardian - Opinion

A cap at 200% would restore a degree of sanity.

The Guardian - Business

Grupo Mexico did accept the Special Committee's proposed $1.05 billion debt cap at closing.

Harvard University

The electrochemical degradation of CAP at Al-doped PbO2 electrode electrode followed pseudo-first-order kinetics.

Electrochimica Acta

Costello throws his cap at the television, stomps down the dark hall.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Thursday, November 15th, 2012 Webinar 3: Management practices to reduce P-Cap: at 3 00pm.

Cornell University

Interestingly, this unusual class of ribozyme adds a lariat-cap at the mRNA.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The Department of CAP at the University Hospital covers all inhabitants in the county.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cap at", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Specify units of measurement or relevant details to ensure clear communication.

Common error

Avoid using "cap at" in formal writing where a more precise or sophisticated term like "limit", "restrict", or "set a maximum" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cap at" functions as a verb phrase indicating the establishment of an upper limit or maximum value. As Ludwig indicates, while grammatically acceptable, it is more common in spoken rather than formal written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cap at" is used to express setting an upper limit or maximum value. While acceptable, Ludwig AI states that it is more common in spoken English and less formal contexts. Its communicative function involves defining a boundary or restriction. For formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives, while in informal or news-related contexts, "cap at" is frequently used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limit to

A more concise way of expressing the idea of restriction, suitable for situations where brevity is preferred.

set a limit of

Emphasizes the act of establishing a boundary, focusing on the action rather than the specific level.

impose a ceiling of

Uses "ceiling" metaphorically to indicate the highest permissible level, implying a formal restriction.

put a ceiling on

Similar to "impose a ceiling of", but slightly more informal, suggesting a less rigid constraint.

set a maximum level of

Emphasizes the maximum degree or extent, specifying a top-end boundary.

restrict to a maximum of

Directly states the action of limiting something, specifying that it cannot exceed a certain amount.

place a maximum of

Focuses on setting the uppermost limit, highlighting the establishment of a boundary.

fix the upper limit at

Highlights the fixed and determined nature of the limit, implying a definite constraint.

peg at

Implies fixing something at a particular level, like attaching a value to a rate or currency, often used in economics and finance.

top out at

Describes reaching a maximum value and not exceeding it, often used to describe performance or growth.

FAQs

What does "cap at" mean?

The phrase "cap at" means to set an upper limit or maximum value for something. It indicates a restriction beyond which something cannot increase.

How can I use "cap at" in a sentence?

You can use "cap at" to indicate a maximum limit, as in, "The company will "set a limit of" expenses at $1000 per employee."

What are some alternatives to "cap at"?

Alternatives include phrases like "limit to", "set a maximum of", or "impose a ceiling of", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "cap at" in formal or informal settings?

While generally acceptable, "cap at" is more commonly used in spoken English and less formal contexts. For formal writing, consider using a more precise alternative like "restrict to a maximum of".