exceeded the limit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exceeded the limit" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe when something or someone has gone beyond a set boundary or limit. For example, "The number of visitors to the museum yesterday exceeded the limit allowed by the city's health ordinance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Repeatedly assured by Dr. Nemeroff that he had not exceeded the limit, Emory did nothing.

The New York Times - Health

"When I put the claim in they came back and said I had exceeded the limit.

The Guardian

A warning on the energy monitors tripped their electricity off if they exceeded the limit.

The Guardian

Germany exceeded the limit in 2002 and will do so this year.

The New York Times

Subscribers will be charged overage fees only after they have exceeded the limit three times.

The Economist

Taxpayers paid half the bill after the fees office told him he had exceeded the limit.

Independent

Some areas in Merced and strawberry centers like Monterey and Ventura counties have exceeded the limit by startling amounts.

The Guardian

Candidates who exceeded the limit after taking public money would have to repay the full amount or face larceny charges.

The New York Times

A previous race in the series was canceled when the wind exceeded the limit just before a start.

The New York Times

Prosecutors accused him of, among other things, hiring an official driver whose age exceeded the limit under government rules.

The New York Times

The report highlighted an equation that the lab routinely used, resulting in injections that exceeded the limit for acceptable impurities.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "exceeded the limit", ensure the context clearly defines what the limit is. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "exceeded the limit" without specifying the limit itself. For instance, instead of saying "The budget exceeded the limit", specify what the limit was: "The budget exceeded the limit of $1 million."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceeded the limit" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a certain threshold or boundary has been surpassed. This is supported by Ludwig examples, which show the phrase describing situations where spending, data usage, or concentration of substances went beyond an established maximum.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

64%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exceeded the limit" is a grammatically sound expression widely used to indicate that a boundary or maximum value has been surpassed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. Ludwig examples show it in use across various contexts, including news, science, and formal writing, demonstrating its versatility. Alternative phrases such as "went over the limit" or "surpassed the maximum" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality. When using "exceeded the limit", clarity is key; always specify what the limit refers to. Its frequent occurrence and consistent application make it a valuable part of the English lexicon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

went over the limit

Uses 'went over' instead of 'exceeded', implying a more casual or less formal surpassing of the limit.

surpassed the maximum

Replaces 'limit' with 'maximum', emphasizing the highest permissible value was exceeded.

overstepped the boundary

Substitutes 'limit' with 'boundary', suggesting a transgression beyond a defined area or constraint.

transgressed the restriction

Employs 'transgressed' to indicate a violation of the established 'restriction'.

broke the ceiling

Uses a metaphor, replacing 'limit' with 'ceiling', suggesting a breakthrough beyond a previously imposed barrier.

outstripped the allowance

Replaces 'exceeded' with 'outstripped' and 'limit' with 'allowance', implying that something has gone beyond what was permitted.

overran the quota

Uses 'overran' instead of 'exceeded' and 'quota' instead of 'limit', suggesting the surpassing of an assigned share or allotment.

bypassed the cap

Substitutes 'exceeded' with 'bypassed' and 'limit' with 'cap', highlighting the circumvention of a maximum threshold.

overreached the mark

Uses 'overreached' instead of 'exceeded' and 'mark' instead of 'limit', suggesting failure through excessive ambition or effort.

violated the threshold

Replaces 'exceeded' with 'violated' and 'limit' with 'threshold', indicating that a specific level or point was breached.

FAQs

How can I use "exceeded the limit" in a sentence?

You can use "exceeded the limit" to describe situations where a boundary or maximum value has been surpassed. For example, "The data usage "exceeded the limit" on my mobile plan."

What are some alternatives to "exceeded the limit"?

Some alternatives include "went over the limit", "surpassed the maximum", or "overstepped the boundary", depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "exceeded the limit" or "went over the limit"?

"Exceeded the limit" is generally considered more formal than "went over the limit", which is more casual. Choose the phrase that best suits the tone and audience of your writing.

What does it mean when something "exceeded the limit of detection"?

In scientific contexts, "exceeded the limit of detection" means that the concentration of a substance was high enough to be reliably measured by the instrument or method used. In these contexts, the alternative "reached the limit" can be used but in a more specific way.