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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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curtailed

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "curtailed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an activity that has been stopped or shortened in duration. For example: "Due to budget constraints, the school has been forced to curtail several after school clubs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You say I have 'pared down our liberty at an astonishing rate', then list a whole lot of fundamental rights, as if these had all been drastically curtailed.

There are gratuitous new restrictions on an already heavily curtailed right to strike, plans to rob the earnings of migrants who may work hard but lack the proper paperwork, and such a sweeping ban on legal highs that government lawyers could soon be fretting about accidentally criminalising sweets that give a sugar rush.

Though Forfar have come agonisingly close to causing an upset against Rangers in the past, he points out: 'There is a bigger gap between the two teams now than when we played them before.' Celtic, who face a rather tougher looking Scottish Cup hurdle at Aberdeen tomorrow, are sweating on the fitness of Henrik Larsson, whose training has been curtailed because of a hamstring injury.

As a result, from the start of 2013, countless theatres, museums and orchestras will see their funding either severely curtailed or, like the Internationaal Danstheater, cut off altogether.

News & Media

The Guardian

The first six weeks of Fifth Brigade's attacks were massive in their intensity but, as the documents show, an order was given for them to be curtailed after news had leaked to the outside world.

News & Media

The Guardian

Ian Junior's career was mortally curtailed following a series of allegations of political lobbying on behalf of a property developer who was seeking a contract to construct a new visitors' centre at the world famous Giant's Causeway site.

News & Media

The Guardian

Bankers have warned time and again that if their bonuses are curtailed, they will move to places where there are no such restrictions – robbing the country of vital income.

In fact, a focus on individual behaviour provides cover for the tobacco, food, beverage, and alcohol industries as they expand into developing countries: they are uninterested in having their production and marketing of products curtailed through regulation or restrictions, nor the profits that wide consumption ensures.

News & Media

The Guardian

But many campaigners speak of a "hidden crisis" in which intimidation continues and freedoms are curtailed along with widespread poverty and joblessness.

News & Media

The Guardian

The passing of the USA Freedom Act last week curtailed so-called "section 215" bulk collection of phone record metadata – information about who called whom, and timings, but not the content of conversations.

News & Media

The Guardian

The right to trial by jury, the right to silence, the right not to be punished until a court has decided that the law has been broken, the right to demonstrate and protest, the presumption of innocence, the right to private communication, the right to travel without surveillance and the details of that journey being retained - all have been curtailed by your legislation.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "curtailed" to indicate a formal or official reduction or limitation, especially when referring to rights, freedoms, or resources.

Common error

Avoid using "curtailed" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler terms like "shortened" or "reduced" for everyday situations.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

91%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

Curtailed functions primarily as a verb in the past tense or as a past participle. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, often describing actions that reduce or limit something. Examples show its use with rights, freedoms, and programs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

22%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "curtailed" is a versatile term, primarily functioning as a verb to describe the action of reducing or limiting something. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in formal and neutral contexts, such as news articles and business reports. Its communicative purpose is to inform about imposed restrictions, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in sources like The Economist and The Guardian. While "curtailed" is a strong choice for formal writing, simpler alternatives such as "reduced" or "limited" may be more suitable for informal contexts.

FAQs

How to use "curtailed" in a sentence?

You can use "curtailed" to describe something that has been reduced or limited. For example, "Due to budget cuts, the program's funding was curtailed."

What can I say instead of "curtailed"?

You can use alternatives like "cut short", "reduced", or "limited" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "curtailed" or "curtailed"?

Both "curtailed" and "curtailed" can be used, but the choice depends on the intended tense. "Curtailed" is the past tense and past participle of "curtail", while "curtail" is the base form of the verb.

What's the difference between "curtailed" and "restricted"?

"Curtailed" implies a reduction in scope or duration, while "restricted" suggests the imposition of limits or constraints. "Curtailed" emphasizes the action of shortening, while "restricted" focuses on the state of being limited.

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Source & Trust

91%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: