curtail the extent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "curtail the extent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reduction or limitation of something, such as a policy, activity, or resource. Example: "The new regulations aim to curtail the extent of pollution in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This issue could be most simply addressed by editing the text to curtail the extent of the conclusions.

eLife

Thus, neurosteroids appear to act in an adaptive fashion to curtail the extent and duration of the stress-induced inhibition of GABAergic transmission.

Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology

This regulation is mutually repressive in which BMPs from the hem curtail the extent of the septum, and Fgf8 from the septum curtails the extent of the Wnt expression domain, that is, the hem (Shimogori et al. 2004).

Cerebral Cortex

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Our results clearly indicate that pulmonary instillation of PCN can dramatically enhance subsequent host immune responses to primary viral infections of the lung as well as curtailing the extent of pulmonary damage that these responses can cause.

Plosone

Parrish said that should curtail the histrionics.

The New York Times - Sports

The left wants to curtail the power of global megabanks.

The New York Times

To curtail the outbreak the government imposed several strict measures.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The bill would even curtail the flow of unclassified information.

The New York Times

Such assurances failed to curtail the rush of withdrawals.

The New York Times

So far, though, attempts to curtail the genre have fizzled.

The New York Times

There is nothing in place to curtail the behavior!

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "curtail the extent", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being limited or reduced. For example, specify "curtail the extent of the damage" or "curtail the extent of the policy's reach" to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "curtail the extent" when you simply want to say "stop". "Extent" refers to the degree or scope of something, not the action itself. Use alternatives like "stop the activity" or "halt the process" for direct cessation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "curtail the extent" functions as a verb phrase, where "curtail" is the verb and "the extent" acts as the direct object. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in limiting the scope or degree of something. It is often employed to modify the noun it precedes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "curtail the extent" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in written English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's used to describe limiting the scope or degree of something, though its frequency is rare. Primarily found in scientific and news contexts, it carries a neutral to formal tone. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the context clearly indicates what is being limited. Alternative phrases such as "reduce the scope" or "limit the degree" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality. While "curtail the extent" is appropriate for professional writing, avoid using it when simply meaning "stop", as "extent" refers to scope, not action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce the scope

Focuses on lessening the breadth or range of something, offering a more direct alternative.

limit the degree

Emphasizes setting a maximum or boundary on the level or intensity of something.

decrease the magnitude

Highlights the reduction in size or importance of something.

lessen the impact

Concentrates on diminishing the effect or influence of something.

mitigate the intensity

Suggests alleviating the severity or strength of something, often used in formal contexts.

constrain the reach

Implies restricting the area or extent to which something can extend or affect.

narrow the boundaries

Highlights making the limits or borders more restricted.

shorten the duration

Focuses specifically on reducing the length of time something lasts.

abridge the length

Suggests making something shorter, particularly in terms of physical extent or written text.

dampen the effect

Indicates a reduction in the noticeable or impactful result of something.

FAQs

How can I use "curtail the extent" in a sentence?

You can use "curtail the extent" to describe limiting the degree or scope of something. For example, "New regulations aim to "curtail the extent" of pollution".

What are some alternatives to "curtail the extent"?

Alternatives include "reduce the scope", "limit the degree", or "decrease the magnitude" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "curtail the extent" or "reduce the scope"?

"Curtail the extent" can be considered slightly more formal than "reduce the scope", but both are appropriate for professional writing.

What does it mean to "curtail the extent" of something?

To "curtail the extent" of something means to limit or reduce the degree, scope, or range of that thing. It implies placing restrictions or boundaries on its influence or effect.