constrained on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "constrained on" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "constrained by" or "constrained to." Example: "The project was constrained by budget limitations, which affected its overall scope."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

All the information considered necessary for the ATA to perform their very demanding duties was constrained on one side of an ordinary postcard "filed" on a couple of ordinary key rings!

Independent

The adoption of 3 months is a compromise, constrained on one side by the limits of recall and on the other by the purpose of the enquiry.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Furthermore, this method is not constrained on TMR but extends to 5MR.

Microelectronics Reliability

"Yes, you can call it [Android] open source but in practicality, you're getting more and more constrained on what's possible in that environment," Elop says.

The Guardian - Tech

Gary Gibbon on his Channel 4 blog says David Cameron is constrained on Syria because he knows he would lose a Commons vote on arming the opposition.

The Guardian

And the modern-day C.E.O. is so highly constrained on what he or she can or cannot do precisely for that reason.

The New York Times

Pedestrians were less constrained on local roads following SER construction, possibly reflecting a perceptually safer and more user-friendly environment.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

Ukip has attempted to improve its vetting of candidates in the local and European elections to be held next month, but it appears that some of their members will not be constrained on social media.

The Guardian

But if the SNP thought Labour was too fiscally constrained on its budget, for example, would they really vote with the Tories to defeat it, and bring the government down?

The Guardian - Opinion

A previous judicial ruling in 2005 by Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers suggested the use of the parliament act may be constrained, on fundamental constitutional changes, indicating the plans could become bogged down in the courts.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the energy constrained on-peak hours period, the utility company might benefit from being able to sell this energy to other higher paying tariff consumers.

Energy Conversion and Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "constrained by" or "constrained to" instead of "constrained on" to ensure grammatical correctness in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "on" after "constrained". The correct prepositions are "by" (when indicating the cause of the constraint) or "to" (when indicating the area to which the constraint applies).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "constrained on" functions as a prepositional phrase, attempting to indicate a limitation or restriction. However, it is considered grammatically incorrect according to Ludwig AI, as the correct usage involves "constrained by" or "constrained to".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "constrained on" appears in various sources, it is considered grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, the correct usage involves "constrained by" (to indicate what causes the constraint) or "constrained to" (to indicate the area being constrained). It is advisable to replace "constrained on" with grammatically correct alternatives like ""constrained by"", "limited by", or "restricted by" to ensure clarity and accuracy in your writing. Although the phrase has been used across diverse sources, including science and news media, its incorrectness undermines its appropriateness for formal and professional contexts. Prioritizing grammatical precision will enhance the credibility and effectiveness of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constrained by

Uses 'by' instead of 'on' to indicate what is imposing the constraint; grammatically correct.

limited by

Employs 'limited' instead of 'constrained', conveying a similar sense of restriction; grammatically sound.

restricted by

Replaces 'constrained' with 'restricted', offering a close synonym with standard grammar.

circumscribed by

Presents a more formal alternative to 'constrained', suggesting precise limitations or boundaries.

dependent on

Indicates reliance on something, shifting the focus from restriction to dependence.

contingent on

Implies that something is conditional or reliant on another factor, unlike a direct constraint.

subject to

Highlights that something is under the influence or control of another factor, rather than being strictly limited.

governed by

Suggests regulation or control by a set of rules or principles, differing from a direct constraint.

conditional upon

Highlights a dependency where something happens only if a condition is met, altering the meaning slightly.

hinges on

Indicates that something depends critically on a particular factor, differing from a constraint.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "constrained" in a sentence?

The word "constrained" should typically be followed by "by" or "to", not "on". For example, "The project was "constrained by" budget limitations" or "The options were "constrained to" a limited set of choices".

What are some alternatives to "constrained on"?

Instead of "constrained on", you can use phrases like "limited by", "restricted by", or "dependent on" depending on the specific context.

Is "constrained on" grammatically correct?

No, "constrained on" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The correct forms are ""constrained by"" or ""constrained to"".

How does "constrained by" differ from "constrained to"?

"Constrained by" indicates what is causing the limitation (e.g., "constrained by budget"), while ""constrained to"" specifies the area or options that are limited (e.g., "constrained to a specific region").