designed to limit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "designed to limit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that has been intentionally created or structured to impose restrictions or constraints. Example: "The new policy is designed to limit the amount of waste produced by the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They were designed to limit judicial discretion.

The Economist

Some of the proposals are designed to limit conduct that has generated complaints.

The New York Times

Both versions are designed to limit the scattering of broken glass.

The New York Times

The proposal is designed to limit the number of non-European Union players.

The New York Times - Sports

Other new rules are designed to limit currency speculation, and these too could reduce banks' profitability.

The Economist

We forget, sometimes, that our government was designed to limit the powers of the president.

The New York Times - Magazine

A day earlier, the European Union protested that the software was clearly designed to limit free speech.

The New York Times - Tech

And so, in 1954, still in his first term, Moss introduced a bill designed to limit that secrecy.

The New Yorker

"This is a tactic designed to limit Republican fund-raising, that's all this is," Mr. Baron said.

The New York Times

Moreover, they will be designed to limit the customer's use of multimedia features that consume a lot of wireless capacity.

The New York Times - Tech

In an example of how corporations are getting around ethics rules designed to limit events honoring lawmakers, A.T.&T.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "designed to limit", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being restricted and the intended outcome. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "designed to limit" excessively in passive constructions. Opt for active voice where appropriate to create more direct and engaging sentences. For instance, instead of "Regulations were designed to limit pollution", consider "Regulators designed the regulations to limit pollution."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "designed to limit" functions as a purpose phrase, indicating the intended function or goal of a particular design or action. It typically modifies a noun or noun phrase, explaining the reason behind its structure or implementation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "designed to limit" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to describe the intentional imposition of restrictions or constraints. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, especially in news, scientific and formal business writing. When writing, ensure clarity by explicitly stating what is being restricted and avoid excessive passive voice. Consider alternatives such as "intended to restrict" or "meant to constrain" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intended to restrict

Replaces "designed" with "intended" and "limit" with "restrict", offering a more direct synonym.

meant to constrain

Substitutes "designed" with "meant" and "limit" with "constrain", suggesting a purpose of restriction.

created to restrict

Focuses on the act of creation for the purpose of restriction, replacing "designed".

developed to control

Implies a more active role in managing or controlling something, rather than just limiting it.

structured to minimize

Shifts the focus to minimizing an effect rather than generally limiting something.

engineered to reduce

Suggests a more technical or precise approach to reducing something.

built to curtail

Emphasizes a reduction or cutting back of something, with a slightly more formal tone.

formulated to check

Highlights the aim to monitor and control, rather than simply limit.

fashioned to curb

Implies a shaping or molding with the intent to restrain.

set up to regulate

Focuses on establishing rules or regulations to control something, not just limit it.

FAQs

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

Use "designed to limit" to describe something intentionally created to impose restrictions. For example: "The software is "designed to limit" access to sensitive data".

What are some alternatives to "designed to limit"?

Alternatives include phrases like "intended to restrict", "meant to constrain", or "created to restrict", which all convey a similar sense of intentional restriction.

Is it better to use "designed to limit" or "intended to limit"?

Both "designed to limit" and "intended to limit" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or the specific context.

What's the difference between "designed to limit" and "aimed at reducing"?

"Designed to limit" implies a structural or intentional constraint, while "aimed at reducing" suggests a goal-oriented effort to decrease something. The former is about setting boundaries, the latter about diminishing quantities.