external limits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "external limits" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to boundaries or constraints that are imposed from outside a particular system or context. Example: "The project faced several external limits that hindered its progress, including budget constraints and regulatory requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

In addition to limitations inherent to individual organisms, there may be external limits imposed by the environment.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

With external limits (such as national courts) removed, the EPO could impose software patents, or any other controversial kind of patents.

The Guardian - Tech

External limits help the poet avoid self-indulgence; those limits can come from brevity, or (as in "Auto-Lullaby") from stanzaic form or from self-deprecating humor: "I'm not the brightest / knife in the drawer, but / I know a couple things," Wright says in "Epitaph," a poem otherwise given to bleak depths and fears.

The New York Times - Books

Last year, Finland's 835-mile (1,340km) frontier with Russia – one of the external limits of the European Union's passport-free Schengen travel zone – became the northern-most crossing point to the EU for migrants from Africa and the Middle East who wanted to avoid the dangerous Mediterranean sea route to the continent.

The Guardian

But they highlight both the vestiges of power Mr. Bush can still exercise to leave a lasting mark on government, and the external limits to that power that are, in large part, the result of eight bruising years of partisan warfare.

The New York Times

But it is possible to think that there are both internal and external limits.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

However, because capital also re-territorializes all flows into money, schizophrenia remains capitalism's external limit.

SEP

An external limit on the authority of democracy is a limit that arises from principles that are independent of the values or requirements of democracy.

SEP

A subfoveal scar is present (a) with destruction of outer plexiform, outer nuclear, external limiting membrane, IS/OS, and RPE (c).

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

At its borders, the RPE is elevated and discontinuous with loss of outer plexiform, outer nuclear, external limiting membrane, IS/OS, and RPE.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

The intraretinal material appeared to be masking the photoreceptor, inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS), and the external limiting membrane (ELM) layers (arrows).

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing project management or strategic planning, clearly define the "external limits" that could impact your objectives. This allows for proactive risk management.

Common error

Avoid using "external limits" when you actually mean internal constraints within a system or organization. Distinguish between factors imposed from the outside versus those that are self-imposed or inherent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "external limits" functions as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object in a sentence. It identifies boundaries or constraints that originate from sources outside the entity being considered. As seen in Ludwig, the phrase clearly describes constraints and boundaries.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "external limits" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe constraints imposed from outside a given system or entity. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and effectively communicates the concept of externally originating boundaries or restrictions. It appears frequently in scientific, news, and business contexts, suggesting a formal to neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by distinguishing it from internal constraints, and consider synonyms like "outside constraints" or "environmental restrictions" for stylistic variation. Understanding "external limits" is crucial for risk management, strategic planning, and accurate analysis across diverse fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outside constraints

Focuses on the restrictive aspect imposed by external factors.

environmental constraints

Emphasizes limitations imposed by environmental conditions or resources.

external restrictions

Highlights limitations enacted from outside forces.

outside boundaries

Stresses the demarcation or bounds imposed by external factors.

imposed limitations

Highlights the action of imposing limits from an outside agent.

external constraints

Stresses restraints or restrictions caused by external conditions.

exterior limitations

Similar to "external limits", emphasizes limitations coming from the outside.

external dependencies

Indicates reliance on external factors that introduce limitations.

exterior restrictions

Focuses on restrictions originating from the external environment.

environmental restrictions

Emphasizes constraints specifically caused by the environment.

FAQs

How do I use "external limits" in a sentence?

You can use "external limits" to describe constraints or boundaries that are imposed from outside a system or organization. For example: "The company's growth was restricted by "external limits" such as market competition and regulations."

What's the difference between "external limits" and "internal limits"?

"External limits" refer to constraints imposed by factors outside of a system, while "internal limits" are self-imposed or arise from within. Understanding this distinction is crucial for effective analysis and problem-solving.

Are there synonyms for "external limits"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "outside constraints", "environmental constraints", or "imposed limitations" depending on the specific context.

In what contexts is "external limits" commonly used?

"External limits" is frequently used in fields such as ecology, political science, economics, and project management to describe factors that constrain growth, development, or action. The specific context will determine the nature of the limits.