could not exceed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could not exceed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a limit or maximum amount that is not to be surpassed. Example: "The total cost of the project could not exceed the allocated budget of $50,000."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Family income could not exceed about $73,000.

The New York Times

Monthly fees could not exceed $100 for Medicare beneficiaries.

The New York Times - Health

Income could not exceed $60,000 for an individual and $67,000 for a couple.

The New York Times

Illuminated or flashing signs could not exceed 500 square feet in the manufacturing districts.

The New York Times

After that, total sulfur emissions could not exceed the levels of 1980.

The New York Times

Their market shares could not exceed 20% of the combined share of their three largest competitors.

Harvard Business Review

Shortly thereafter, having decided that this was "a triumph I could not exceed," Mr. Gilder migrated to supply-side economics.

The New York Times

The hydraulic constraints that were imposed on the design were that the pressure drop and flow rates could not exceed 100 kPa and 0.5 L/min respectively.

Applied Thermal Engineering

Because Manhattan was laid out on a grid, the base of each development could not exceed the size of a rectangular plot.

The New York Times - Magazine

For example, a trade conducted over Direct Plus could not exceed 1,099 shares, and clients were limited to one trade every 30 seconds.

The New York Times

In most cases, the deductible — the amount paid up front by policyholders — could not exceed $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for families.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When setting explicit boundaries or limitations, use "could not exceed" to clearly define the maximum permissible value or extent. This ensures clarity in regulations, budgets, or specifications.

Common error

Avoid using "could not exceed" when intending to express capability rather than limitation. "Could" can imply possibility; ensure context clarifies the restrictive meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not exceed" primarily functions as a limitative modal phrase. It expresses a restriction or constraint, indicating the maximum extent to which something is permitted. As Ludwig AI explains, it's used to set a limit that must not be surpassed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could not exceed" is a versatile modal phrase used to establish an upper limit or restriction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It is prevalent in news, scientific, and formal business contexts and serves to clearly define maximum values or permissible extents. Remember to use "could not exceed" when setting a defined boundary, and be careful not to misinterpret or misuse it when expressing possibility. While "could not exceed" is useful across multiple registers, you may consider alternatives such as "must not surpass" or "is limited to" for different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must not surpass

Replaces the modal verb "could" with the stronger "must", indicating a stricter requirement.

cannot go beyond

Uses "cannot" instead of "could not", and "go beyond" replaces "exceed" to describe the limit.

may not be more than

Replaces "exceed" with "be more than", softening the tone slightly while still setting a maximum.

should not be greater than

Employs "should not" for a recommendation and "greater than" instead of "exceed", providing a slightly more formal tone.

is limited to

Focuses on the imposed limitation using a passive construction.

does not pass

Uses a more active voice to indicate that something fails to reach beyond a specific point.

is capped at

Implies a definitive upper limit or restriction.

is held below

Highlights an effort to keep something under a specific threshold.

is not to pass

Formally restricts the action of exceeding a certain level or limit.

should stay under

Advises to maintain a value or quantity beneath a designated amount.

FAQs

How can I use "could not exceed" in a sentence?

Use "could not exceed" to set an upper limit that something is not allowed to surpass. For example, "The budget for the project "could not exceed" $10,000."

What can I say instead of "could not exceed"?

You can use alternatives like "must not surpass", "cannot go beyond", or "is limited to" depending on the context.

Is "could not exceed" formal or informal?

"Could not exceed" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Its use depends more on the subject matter than the audience.

What's the difference between "could not exceed" and "should not exceed"?

"Could not exceed" sets a hard limit, while "should not exceed" is more of a recommendation or guideline. "Could not" indicates a restriction, whereas "should not" suggests a preferred limit.