if space permits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'if space permits' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you have limited space and are determining what you are able to include in the space available. For example, "I would love to include a diagram to illustrate my point, but if space permits, I'll have to omit it."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

We will consider non-MIT students if space permits.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Reservations are no longer mandatory, but advisable; walk-ins are accommodated if space permits.

The New York Times

Pre-registration by July 22 is requested, but drop-ins will be welcome if space permits.

Cornell University

Senior and MEng students will be given priority, and juniors will be admitted if space permits.

Cornell University

You may take more than one seminar course only after all other students are added AND if space permits.

University of California, Berkeley

And no, Berlioz wasn't kidding when he added, "If space permits, the chorus may be doubled or tripled and the orchestra proportionately increased".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

The cast is big and makes room for lots of participants, who all would be listed here if space permitted.

The New York Times - Arts

Of course the question of errors and deceptions is important, and if space permitted one could discuss these in light of the function of co-text, and of 'reading to make sense' either by direct reference or implication.

Functional Linguistics

The total number of participating tents is capped at 100 (each tent can have up to 12 occupants), though interest is such that it could exceed that number if space permitted.

Wikipedia

If manuscript space permits, additional commented source code files or a jsFiddle setup would be great and would further ease the application of the tools.

F1000Research

Tie it up with a ribbon, use some stickers or glitter, write a nice and sweet message in calligraphic handwriting if the space permits.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if space permits" to clearly indicate that an action or inclusion is conditional based on the availability of physical or abstract space.

Common error

Avoid using "if space permits" solely for physical space. The phrase can also apply to abstract limitations, such as time in a presentation or characters in a message. For example, it is correct to say, "I'll elaborate on the topic, if time permits."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if space permits" functions as an adverbial clause of condition, modifying the main clause by introducing a condition that must be met for the action in the main clause to occur. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

31%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

23%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "if space permits" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something will happen only if there is enough space available. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Predominantly used in academic, news, and general contexts, it sets a conditional action based on spatial constraints, whether physical or abstract. Remember to consider both physical and abstract uses, avoiding misapplication. Alternatives such as "subject to space availability" may be more suitable for highly formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if there's room available

Replaces "space permits" with a more descriptive phrase using "room available".

subject to space availability

Uses a more formal and concise phrasing suitable for announcements or policies.

depending on available space

Emphasizes the dependency on the amount of space that can be used.

if capacity allows

Substitutes "space" with "capacity", focusing on the volume or number that can be accommodated.

provided there is enough space

Adds detail by specifying "enough space" is the condition.

contingent on spatial limitations

Uses more technical or formal language relating to limitations.

if the area is sufficient

Focuses on the adequacy of the area for a particular purpose.

as space allows

Shortens the phrase while maintaining the conditional aspect.

when space is not a constraint

Focuses on the absence of spatial restrictions as a condition.

only if there's sufficient room

Adds emphasis to the necessity of sufficient room for something to occur.

FAQs

How can I use "if space permits" in a sentence?

You can use "if space permits" to indicate that something will only be done or included if there is enough available room or time. For example, "We will add more details, "if space permits"."

What are some alternatives to "if space permits"?

Alternatives include "subject to space availability", "depending on available space", or "if there's room available" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "if space permits" in formal writing?

Yes, "if space permits" is generally acceptable in formal writing, although phrases like "subject to space availability" might be more suitable in certain contexts.

Can "if space permits" refer to non-physical space?

Yes, "if space permits" can refer to non-physical or abstract space, such as time or bandwidth. For example, "I will provide further explanation, "if time permits"".