curb

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "curb" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a border or restriction, the edge of a sidewalk, the side of a road, or a restraint on a behavior. For example: The mayor promised to put a curb on illegal dumping in the city.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 1992, Thailand passed two laws to curb tobacco use: the Tobacco Product Control Act – banning tobacco advertisement and sales to minors – and the Non-Smoker Health Protection Act – prohibiting smoking in public places.

The Guardian

The president of Sierra Leone will launch a massive campaign on Wednesday to curb the spread of Ebola in the western areas of the capital Freetown, which will aim to scare people into changing their behaviour.

The Guardian

His remedy at each stage: leave Europe and curb immigration.

The Guardian - Opinion

Any push by the Vatican on climate change could prove politically challenging for conservative Catholic lawmakers in the US who have denied the veracity of climate change science and fought against regulations to curb greenhouse gas emissions, including the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner.

The Guardian

He made the claim at PMQs as he challenged Cameron to adopt the proposals to curb rent rises unveiled by Labour last week.

The Guardian

He also made several "day one" promises, such as securing the border to curb illegal immigration, rescinding a nuclear agreement with Iran and authorizing the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline – the long-in-development crude oil project that has been maligned by environmental activists.

The Guardian

They can help to mitigate and potentially reverse climate change, curb unemployment and provide more nutrient-dense crops to the world.

The Guardian

The campaign also argues many fossil fuel assets could become worthless if the world's governments act to curb global warming, a risk taken seriously by the World Bank and the Bank of England.

The Guardian

The biggest questions facing us are economic – how you create a low-carbon economy, how you cut the financial sector down to size and curb its hyena-like destructive capabilities.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ultimately the most sustainable way of decreasing demand for the boats is to curb repression in countries like Eritrea, and end wars in countries of transit or origin like Libya and Syria.

The Guardian

If Cameron was hoping for support at the Helsinki conference, known as the Northern Future Forum, for his bid to curb immigration and instigate broader EU reforms before a possible UK referendum on membership, he would have been disappointed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "curb", ensure the context clearly defines what is being restrained or controlled. For instance, "curb inflation" is more specific than simply "curb spending".

Common error

Avoid using "curb" in overly abstract or vague situations where a more precise verb might be more suitable. Instead of saying "curb negativity", consider more specific options like "reduce", "minimize", or "eliminate".

Linguistic Context

The word "curb" functions primarily as a verb, signifying the action of restraining or controlling something. It also functions as a noun, referring to the edge of a sidewalk or a means of restraint. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and common occurrence in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "curb" is a versatile term primarily used as a verb meaning to restrain or control, and as a noun referring to a sidewalk edge or a restraint. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media. While its register is generally neutral, ensuring clarity in context will further enhance its effectiveness. Use alternatives like "restrain" or "limit" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

restrain

Focuses on holding back or controlling an impulse or action.

limit

Highlights setting a maximum or boundary.

control

Emphasizes authority and command over something.

check

Implies stopping or slowing down something's progress.

inhibit

Suggests preventing or hindering an action or process.

suppress

Conveys forcibly putting an end to something.

restrict

Highlights imposing specific conditions or limitations.

mitigate

Focuses on reducing the severity of something negative.

constrain

Emphasizes being forced or compelled to limit something.

repress

Indicates holding back or subduing something, often emotions or desires.

FAQs

How can I use "curb" in a sentence?

You can use "curb" to mean to restrain or control something. For example, "The new laws aim to "curb pollution"".

What can I say instead of "curb"?

You can use alternatives like "restrain", "limit", or "control" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "curb" or "kerb"?

"Curb" and "kerb" are both correct, but "curb" is more common in American English, while "kerb" is more common in British English, referring to the edge of a sidewalk.

What's the difference between "curb" and "suppress"?

"Curb" implies a degree of control or restraint, while "suppress" suggests a more forceful and complete stopping or ending of something.