exceeding the limits of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exceeding the limits of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something goes beyond established boundaries or constraints. Example: "The project was deemed a failure for exceeding the limits of the budget and timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, also accused the president of exceeding the limits of his executive authority.

The New York Times

A current prohibition against "slogans exceeding the limits of sports" is to be more widely interpreted to also include political comments.

The New York Times

It is that "ministers and public officers at all levels must exercise the powers conferred on them in good faith, fairly, for the purpose for which the powers were conferred, without exceeding the limits of such powers and not unreasonably".

The Guardian

He accused Mr. Cavallo of "exceeding the limits of the tolerable" and ordered Brazilian diplomats who were in Buenos Aires trying to negotiate trade accords that would ease Argentina's burden to return home.

The New York Times

In explaining the administration's arguments for ending the Antiballistic Missile Treaty of 1972, Mr. Rumsfeld said it was also in Russia's interest to deploy a missile defense system exceeding the limits of the pact, which its supporters describe as a cornerstone of strategic stability.

The New York Times

In a flurry of charges and rebuttals, Sparks was accused of exceeding "the limits of an editor's license," and told that he, of all people, ought to have understood "the power of even a comma to alter the complexion of a sentence".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Car owners stand to pocket 60% of the hourly rate, as well as any charges for exceeding the limit of miles travelled.

The Economist

Groundwater exceeding the limit of 300 mg/l is considered to be very hard.

Applied Water Science

Exceeding the limit of fluoride intake may lead to dental and skeletal fluorosis.

Journal of Analytical Science and Technology

Liverpool was the subject of Uefa Financial Fair Play (FFP) investigation in 2014 after exceeding the limit of £35.4m losses over two seasons.

Wikipedia

However, our data cannot exclude that coactivation may occur in other brain regions for trials not exceeding the limit of statistical facilitation.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exceeding the limits of" when you want to convey that something has gone beyond acceptable or expected boundaries, whether in a physical, metaphorical, or abstract sense. Ensure that the context clearly defines what those limits are.

Common error

Avoid using "exceeding the limits of" without clearly defining what the limits are. The phrase loses its impact if the reader is unsure of the boundaries being surpassed. Provide context to make the meaning precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceeding the limits of" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate that something has surpassed established boundaries or constraints. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is used to express that an entity has gone beyond a specific capacity, rule or level.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

36%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exceeding the limits of" is a prepositional phrase used to describe surpassing established boundaries or constraints. It is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, including news, science, and formal writing. While it can sometimes carry a negative connotation, it is also used neutrally to describe factual overstepping. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is well-established and understood. Alternative phrases include "surpassing the boundaries of" and "going beyond the confines of", each with slightly different shades of meaning. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what the limits are to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surpassing the boundaries of

Focuses on the act of passing beyond a boundary, emphasizing a spatial or figurative limit.

going beyond the confines of

Highlights the idea of escaping the restrictions of a defined space or set of rules.

overstepping the bounds of

Implies a transgression, suggesting that the limits were crossed inappropriately.

transcending the limitations of

Emphasizes overcoming inherent restrictions, often in the context of ability or potential.

outstripping the parameters of

Focuses on exceeding defined parameters or specifications, often in technical contexts.

exceeding the scope of

Indicates going beyond a defined area of activity or influence.

violating the constraints of

Suggests a more forceful disregard for established limitations.

breaking the confines of

Highlights the act of escaping restrictions, with a sense of liberation or rebellion.

overcoming the restrictions of

Emphasizes the act of successfully dealing with constraints.

pushing the envelope of

Idiomatic expression suggesting an attempt to extend current boundaries, often in innovation or performance.

FAQs

How can I use "exceeding the limits of" in a sentence?

You can use "exceeding the limits of" to describe something surpassing established boundaries. For example, "The project failed due to "exceeding the limits of the budget"".

What are some alternatives to "exceeding the limits of"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "surpassing the boundaries of", "going beyond the confines of", or "overstepping the bounds of", each with slight differences in connotation.

Is it always negative to describe something as "exceeding the limits of"?

While often used in negative contexts (e.g., "exceeding the limits of tolerance"), it can be neutral or even positive if the context implies innovation or progress (e.g., "exceeding the limits of conventional lithography" in science).

What's the difference between "exceeding the limits of" and "reaching the limits of"?

"Reaching the limits of" indicates approaching a boundary, while "exceeding the limits of" means going beyond it. One suggests proximity, the other transgression.