capped at

USAGE SUMMARY

"capped at" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a maximum or limit that cannot be exceeded. For example, "The project budget is capped at $50,000."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Attendance is capped at 30 people indoors.

The New York Times

Gains are capped at that level.

The Economist

Capital gains taxes are capped at 15 percent.

The New York Times

Courses will be capped at 24 participants.

Cornell University

Business rates increases capped at 2%.

The Guardian

Contributions are capped at $2,500.

The New York Times

The list was arbitrarily capped at eight.

The New York Times - Food

Trials were capped at 60 seconds.

Nature

Damages are capped at $100,000.

The Guardian

Proposed investments were capped at $10,000.

The Washington Post

APPLY NOW: Registration is capped at 20 participants.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "capped at", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being limited and the reason for the limitation.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the conditions under which the cap applies. For instance, clarify whether the cap is per person, per project, or per year.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capped at" functions as a verb phrase + preposition indicating that something has an upper limit. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. Examples show it setting limits on amounts, numbers, and other quantifiable aspects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

27%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "capped at" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to denote that something is subject to an upper limit or maximum. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in a variety of settings, from academic and scientific writing to news reports and general discussions. Its frequency is "very common" across different contexts. Common alternatives include "limited to", "restricted to", and "maxed out at". When using "capped at", clarity is key: specify what is being limited and the conditions of the cap.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited to

Indicates a restriction to a certain quantity or level, similar to setting a cap.

pegged at

Implies a fixed or stable level, especially for prices or values.

maxed out at

Suggests reaching the highest possible limit or capacity.

restricted to

Emphasizes the act of imposing a constraint or boundary.

ceiling of

Refers to an upper limit that cannot be exceeded.

upper limit of

Directly states the highest permissible amount or degree.

maximum of

Specifies the greatest allowable quantity.

subject to a maximum of

Highlights that the value is constrained by an upper bound.

not exceeding

Indicates that a certain threshold should not be surpassed.

topped at

Expresses that something has reached its peak value.

FAQs

How is "capped at" used in a sentence?

Use "capped at" to indicate a maximum limit. For example, "Attendance is "limited to" 30 people" or "Damages are "restricted to" $100,000".

What are some alternatives to "capped at"?

Alternatives include "limited to", "restricted to", "maxed out at", or "with a ceiling of" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the price is capped at $50"?

Yes, "the price is capped at $50" is grammatically correct. It means the price will not exceed $50.

What's the difference between "limited to" and "capped at"?

"Capped at" often implies an official or predetermined upper limit, while ""limited to"" is a more general term for restriction. For instance, bonuses may be capped at a certain percentage of profits, while class size might be limited to a certain number of students.