curtail expansion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "curtail expansion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate the reduction or limitation of growth or development, such as in business or environmental discussions. Example: "The company decided to curtail expansion plans due to the economic downturn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This is partly cyclical, since the recession led businesses to curtail expansion plans.

The Economist

The company, which provides Internet connections over digital subscriber lines, said it would curtail expansion of its network in 2001 to just over 2,000 telephone central offices and would cancel construction of a third operations center in Alpharetta, Ga.

The New York Times

Freedom's call Test case A new chapter From gold to lead Coco futures ReprintsOn October 28th Fortescue reversed its long-standing public optimism and announced it would curtail expansion, a huge blow given the importance of scale in efficient mining of iron ore.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Consumer spending is down, and some retail chains are filing for bankruptcy protection or curtailing expansion plans.

The New York Times

Since 1949, however, Beijing has emerged as one of China's most industrial cities, although a concern for the adverse effects of industrialization on the city's environment has, over time, curtailed expansion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Budget cuts to health centers' baseline federal funding during FY 2011 significantly curtailed expansion.

BMC Health Services Research

-- it is unlikely to greatly curtail their expansion.

The New York Times

Domestically, demand has weakened, and the all-important construction sector has slowed, in large part because of government efforts to curtail breakneck expansion last year.

The New York Times

Domestically, demand has weakened and the important construction and real estate sectors have slowed, in large part because of government efforts last year to curtail rapid expansion.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Tuesday proposed rules to limit emissions of climate-changing gases from the manufacture of ethanol, a step that would probably curtail the expansion of corn ethanol production.

The New York Times

In a decision that will probably curtail the expansion plans of Interbrew S.A. and cost it hundreds of millions of dollars, British regulators overturned the company's $3.5 billion acquisition of Bass Brewers today.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing strategies during economic downturns, use "curtail expansion" to convey a precise decision to reduce growth, indicating fiscal prudence.

Common error

Avoid using "curtail expansion" in scenarios where controlled or strategic growth is intended; it often implies a negative or reactive limitation, so a more neutral term might better convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "curtail expansion" functions as a verb phrase where "curtail" acts as a transitive verb, taking "expansion" as its direct object. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "curtail expansion" is a grammatically sound and professionally acceptable way to describe limiting or reducing growth. Ludwig AI confirms this. While not extremely common, its presence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Economist attests to its validity. Alternatives such as "limit growth" or "restrict development" can provide similar meanings. When using "curtail expansion", ensure that the context appropriately reflects the intent to reduce or limit development rather than promote strategic growth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limit growth

Replaces "curtail" with the more common synonym "limit".

curb development

Replaces expansion with development. Is only a single-word different.

restrict development

Substitutes both "curtail" and "expansion" with near synonyms that convey a similar meaning of constraint.

reduce scope

Focuses on diminishing the extent or range, rather than the increase or growth.

scale back growth

Uses the phrasal verb "scale back" to imply a reduction in the rate of growth.

downsize development

Emphasizes reducing the size or extent of development projects.

retrench expansion

Implies a strategic withdrawal or contraction of expansion plans, often for financial reasons.

put a brake on expansion

Uses a more figurative expression to indicate slowing down or stopping expansion.

rein in growth

Suggests controlling or managing growth to prevent it from becoming excessive.

moderate expansion

Replaces the idea of stopping expansion with a milder meaning of making it less intense.

FAQs

How can I use "curtail expansion" in a sentence?

You can use "curtail expansion" to describe limiting growth or development, such as "The company decided to "curtail expansion" due to the recession".

What does "curtail expansion" mean?

The phrase "curtail expansion" means to reduce or limit the growth or development of something, often referring to business or economic activities.

What are some alternatives to "curtail expansion"?

Alternatives include "limit growth", "restrict development", or "reduce scope" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "curtail expansion" in a formal context?

Yes, "curtail expansion" is suitable for formal contexts, especially in business, economics, or policy discussions where precise language about limiting growth is necessary.