designed to curb

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "designed to curb" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that has been created or intended to limit, reduce, or control a particular behavior or issue. Example: "The new policy is designed to curb excessive spending within the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The chancellor increased spending designed to curb child poverty.

The Economist

China led the six-party talks designed to curb North Korea's nuclear programme.

The Economist

DRM software, designed to curb piracy, makes it difficult to transfer e-books between devices.

The Economist

In response, we've had a host of regulatory reforms designed to curb executive pay.

The New Yorker

Sanctions designed to curb its nuclear programme make it especially vulnerable.

The Economist

More broadly, from 181 legislation designed to curb electoral bribery was intermittently introduced.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The coalition argued the move was designed to curb tax avoidance by the wealthy.

The Guardian

The Serious Organised Crime Agency is designed to curb crime, not to promote it.

The Guardian

A self-improvement program designed to curb a variety of excesses.

The New York Times - Books

Beijing is holding back, demanding that it be excluded from an E.U. system designed to curb carbon transmissions.

The New York Times

The region has pioneered "macroprudential" regulations, designed to curb excessive credit and capital flows even without raising interest rates.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "designed to curb", ensure that the subject of the phrase clearly indicates what is being limited or controlled. For example, "Regulations designed to curb emissions" is clearer than "Regulations designed to curb."

Common error

Avoid using "designed to curb" in overly broad or vague contexts. Instead of saying "The program is designed to curb problems", specify what kind of problems the program is intended to address.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "designed to curb" functions as a purpose clause, indicating the intended effect or goal of a particular action, policy, or mechanism. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to express the reason or objective behind something being created or implemented.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "designed to curb" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the purpose of limiting or controlling something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's prevalent in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, signifying a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is being limited and avoiding overly broad applications. Alternatives like "intended to limit" or "meant to restrain" can be used to add nuance. Remember that "designed to curb" implies a reduction or limitation, not necessarily complete elimination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intended to limit

Emphasizes the aim to restrict or control something, similar to curbing but with a focus on setting boundaries.

meant to restrain

Highlights the purpose of holding something back or keeping it under control, conveying a sense of controlled force.

created to control

Focuses on the active creation of a mechanism or system to manage or regulate something.

developed to reduce

Highlights the aspect of lessening or diminishing something, shifting the emphasis from outright prevention to mitigation.

formulated to minimize

Emphasizes the careful planning and creation of something with the specific goal of reducing something to the smallest possible amount.

structured to mitigate

Focuses on the arrangement and organization of elements to alleviate or reduce the severity of something.

geared towards preventing

Highlights the adaptation or alignment of something to stop something else from happening.

aimed at diminishing

Emphasizes the direction or target of an effort to lessen or decrease something.

put in place to suppress

Focuses on the action of establishing a system or rule to actively prevent or subdue something.

established to regulate

Highlights the formal setting up of a system to govern or control something according to rules or laws.

FAQs

How can I use "designed to curb" in a sentence?

Use "designed to curb" to describe a plan, policy, or mechanism created to limit or control something undesirable. For instance: "The new tax law is designed to curb excessive speculation in the housing market."

What are some alternatives to "designed to curb"?

You can use alternatives like "intended to limit", "meant to restrain", or "created to control" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "designed to curb" and "intended to eliminate"?

"Designed to curb" implies a reduction or limitation, while "intended to eliminate" suggests a complete removal. Use "designed to curb" when the goal is to manage or reduce something, and "intended to eliminate" when the aim is to completely eradicate it.

What is the correct word order: "designed to curb" or "curb designed"?

"Designed to curb" is the correct and idiomatic word order. "Curb designed" is not standard English and would be grammatically incorrect in most contexts.