closer to the limit

USAGE SUMMARY

"closer to the limit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that is nearing a certain limit, boundary, or point of reference. For example, "As the race progressed, the runner was getting closer to the limit of her endurance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The number of hours in a week is limited and full-time medical specialists are closer to the limit than part-time medical specialists.

BMC Health Services Research

That puts the water much closer to the limit of what coral can bear.

The Guardian

As players like Howard, Stoudemire and Charlotte's Stephen Jackson creep closer to the limit, there is also a belief that they will control themselves to avoid suspension.

The New York Times - Sports

"At the helm, Jimmy is probably a little closer to the limit than Dean, and Dean is wonderfully consistent, so I think they are both wonderful professional sailors with tremendous skills".

The New York Times - Sports

Structure-1 exhibits anisotropic auxetic behavior while structure-2 shows uniform auxetic behavior in all three principal directions with all on-axis Poisson's ratios closer to the limit of -1.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

He arguably gets closer to the limit more often than anyone else.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The converters being the customers of the producers needs to run their machinery closer to the limits so as to utilise their assets better and better.

Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

The vast majority of customers wouldn't come anywhere close to the limit.

The New York Times

He acquired the libertarian faith in high school and took it close to the limit.

The New Yorker

"We have parts of the country that are close to the limit".

The New York Times

By these measures Nassau is at or close to the limit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "closer to the limit", ensure the context clearly defines what limit is being approached. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "closer to the limit" without specifying the limit. Readers need to understand what boundary or threshold is being referenced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closer to the limit" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree to which something approaches a defined boundary, threshold, or maximum value. It is used to describe a state of nearing or approaching a specific limit.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "closer to the limit" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate proximity to a defined boundary, threshold, or maximum. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, but its meaning is most precise when the specific limit is clearly defined. While alternatives like "nearing the threshold" or "approaching the boundary" exist, "closer to the limit" offers a versatile option. The usage of the phrase is frequent in both scientific and news contexts. The phrase should be used when you want to convey the act of nearing or approaching a constraint or restriction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearing the threshold

Focuses on approaching a specific threshold or point of change.

approaching the boundary

Emphasizes the act of nearing a defined boundary or edge.

verging on the edge

Suggests almost reaching a potentially precarious or dangerous limit.

on the verge of exceeding

Highlights the imminence of surpassing a permitted or acceptable level.

drawing near the deadline

Specifically relates to timelines, indicating a fast approaching deadline.

inching towards capacity

Implies slowly getting closer to a maximum capacity or fullness.

approaching maximum

A straightforward description of nearing the maximum value.

close to the edge

Has a similar meaning with the query but more dramatic and can indicates a dangerous situation.

bordering on excess

Conveys the idea of approaching a state of being excessive or immoderate.

pushing the boundaries

Focuses on challenging or extending current limits, rather than just approaching them.

FAQs

How can I use "closer to the limit" in a sentence?

Use "closer to the limit" to indicate nearing a boundary, threshold, or maximum. For example, "The engine was running closer to the limit during the race".

What are some alternatives to "closer to the limit"?

Depending on the context, consider alternatives like "nearing the threshold", "approaching the boundary", or "verging on the edge".

Is it grammatically correct to say "closer to the limit"?

Yes, "closer to the limit" is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig.

What does "closer to the limit" imply?

It suggests that something is nearing its maximum capacity, a defined boundary, or a critical threshold. The specific implication depends on the context in which it's used.