capping at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capping at" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate a maximum limit or threshold for something. Example: "The budget is capped at $10,000." Alternative expressions include "limited to," "set at," and "maxing out at."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

He will curb income tax, capping at 40% the top rate for 2007 tax returns.

The Economist

The state campaign finance laws allow virtually unlimited contributions, capping at $55,000 for an individual or certain business entities.

The New York Times

The environmental agency hopes to diminish the effects of the deposit by capping at least parts of the site with sand and sediment.

The New York Times

Upon release, each One Picture book is offered for forty dollars; as the edition progresses, the price steadily increases, usually capping at a hundred and fifty dollars.

The New Yorker

And the Constitutional Court ruled in 2004 to limit the number of forenames a child could have, capping at five the number a mother could give her son, to whom she had tried to bequeath the 12-part "Chenekwahow Tecumseh Migiskau Kioma Ernesto Inti Prithibi Pathar Chajara Majim Henriko Alessandro," to protect the child.

The New York Times

The mean lateral size (163 nm) is close to that by capping at 640°C.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Capital gains taxes are capped at 15 percent.

The New York Times

Attendance is capped at 30 people indoors.

The New York Times

Gains are capped at that level.

The Economist

Contributions are capped at $2,500.

The New York Times

Compensation is capped at $50,000 per person.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, utilize this phrase to describe saturation points or the termination of a molecular growth process.

Common error

Avoid using "capping at" when you mean to finish or complete something. Use "capping off" for celebratory or concluding actions (e.g., "capping off the year with a win"), while reserving "capping at" for numerical limits (e.g., "capping the budget at $500").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capping at" functions as a present participle phrase that usually acts as a modifier. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used to introduce a supplementary clause that defines an upper limit or maximum value for a preceding noun or action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capping at" is a robust and grammatically Correct expression used to denote a maximum threshold. Data from Ludwig shows it is particularly prevalent in News & Media and Science, where it describes everything from financial policy limits to molecular growth termination. Unlike "capping off", which implies completion, "capping at" is strictly about numerical or physical boundaries. Whether you are writing about a tax rate or a chemical reaction, using this phrase provides a clear, authoritative way to communicate that a limit has been set or reached.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited to

More general and applicable to constraints beyond just numerical values

at a maximum of

Uses a noun-based structure to define the threshold

not exceeding

A more formal and legalistic way to define an upper limit

ceiling of

A common metaphorical term for a maximum limit in finance or policy

set at

Implies a fixed value rather than an upper boundary

restricted to

Carries a stronger connotation of external control or regulation

maxing out at

More informal and suggests reaching a peak capacity

peaking at

Specifically refers to the highest point before a potential decline

plateauing at

Suggests reaching a limit and then remaining stable

threshold of

Often used in scientific contexts to describe the point where a reaction begins or ends

FAQs

How do I use "capping at" in a sentence?

You can use "capping at" to describe a maximum threshold, such as: "The government is "capping at" 40% the top rate for tax returns."

What can I say instead of "capping at"?

Depending on your context, you might use "limited to", "set at", or "not exceeding".

Is it "capping at" or "capping to"?

While "capping at" is the standard prepositional use to denote a specific limit, "capping to" is less common and often sounds awkward. Stick to "capping at" when referring to a specific numerical value.

What is the difference between "capping at" and "capping off"?

"capping at" refers to a numerical limit or threshold, whereas "capping off" means to complete or finish a series of events in a notable way.