curtail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "curtail" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of reducing, limiting, or cutting back on something. Example: "The company decided to curtail its spending in order to improve its financial situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

McConnell has now filed motions to bring debate to a close on two vexed bills relating to the NSA: the USA Freedom Act, which seeks to curtail some of the NSA's surveillance powers; and a short-term extension of a key section of the Patriot Act, which Senate Republican leaders claim is essential to preserving critical post-9/11 intelligence powers.

The Guardian

Co-author Dr Catherine Verfaillie, from the University of Leuven in Belgium, said: "IPSC models can now be used to better understand dementia, and in particular frontotemporal dementia, and might lead to the development of drugs that can curtail or slow down the degeneration of cortical neurons".

The Guardian

Paul's two-year campaign to curtail US surveillance powers – in a partnership with leftwing Democrats – has been a case in point, although his efforts over the last 24 hours have been more as a one-man show.

The Guardian

Voter concern that a Romney-Ryan White House would curtail entitlements helped fuel the Democratic victory of 2012.

The Guardian

Shepherd, the lead author of the study, warned that this progress could be put at risk by a combination of the economic recovery – which could make alcohol more affordable for young people – and a further round of austerity cuts that could curtail spending on CCTV and police resources.

The Guardian

Overwhelmed by the logistical duties of managing such a large pool, Tommy has attempted to curtail its exponential growth by raising the entry fee – from $20 to $30 to $40.

The Guardian - Sport

He said that the ruling by the human rights court — which requires ministers to create a review system for murderers serving whole life orders in England and Wales — had reinforced his "determination to curtail the role of the court of human rights in the UK".

The Guardian

Only a few weeks ago the government proposed to curtail the powers of the constitutional court – which after 1989 had been modelled on the German constitutional court and which has an impressive track record in protecting democracy and the rule of law.

The Guardian - Opinion

They led twice against Stuart Pearce's men with Odion Ighalo and Matej Vydra on target but Antonio struck in each half to curtail Jokanovic's dream start.

The Guardian - Sport

The Conservatives were elected on a manifesto commitment to "scrap the Human Rights Act and curtail the role of the European court of human rights".

The Guardian - Opinion

Critics saw the tax as an attempt to crack down on opposition voices and curtail civil liberties.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "curtail", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being reduced or limited. For example, "curtail spending" or "curtail freedoms."

Common error

Avoid using "curtail" when a complete elimination is intended. "Curtail" implies a reduction or limitation, not a full stop. Use "eliminate" or "abolish" instead if complete removal is the goal.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "curtail" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being shortened, limited, or reduced. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent use in this manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "curtail" is a versatile verb that means to reduce, limit, or cut short something. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically sound and widely used. It commonly appears in news, formal writing, and scientific contexts. When using "curtail", ensure the context is clear about what is being reduced, and avoid using it when complete elimination is intended. Related terms include "restrict", "limit", and "reduce", each carrying subtle differences in meaning. Examples show that "curtail" frequently refers to actions taken to reduce spending, powers, or freedoms, emphasizing its role in discussions about control and limitation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Cut back

Implies a reduction in quantity or amount, often in spending or consumption.

Restrict

Suggests imposing limits or constraints on something, often officially or legally.

Limit

Indicates setting a maximum extent or amount.

Reduce

Means to make something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.

Abridge

Signifies shortening something, typically a text or a right.

Constrain

Implies forcibly restricting or limiting someone or something.

Curb

Suggests restraining or controlling something, often a negative impulse.

Check

Indicates stopping or slowing the progress of something undesirable.

Keep in check

Similar to curb, but emphasizes maintaining control over something.

Put a lid on

An idiomatic expression meaning to suppress or restrain something.

FAQs

How to use "curtail" in a sentence?

Use "curtail" to indicate a reduction or limitation of something. For instance, "The new law aims to "curtail the power" of the corporation" or "The company decided to "curtail spending"."

What can I say instead of "curtail"?

You can use alternatives like "restrict", "limit", "reduce", or "cut back" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "curtail spending" or "eliminate spending"?

"Curtail spending" implies a reduction in spending, while "eliminate spending" suggests stopping spending altogether. The choice depends on whether you mean to reduce or completely remove the expenditure.

What's the difference between "curtail" and "restrict"?

"Curtail" generally means to reduce or cut short, while "restrict" means to keep something within certain limits. "Curtail" often applies to time or quantity, whereas "restrict" applies to scope or freedom.