in a constricted area

USAGE SUMMARY

"in a constricted area" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a space that is small or limited. For example, "The passers-by crowded into the park, which was in a constricted area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

His life was destined to unfold in a constricted area.

The New Yorker

So on Monday night, with David Robertson conducting two popular symphonies, Schubert's "Unfinished" and Mendelssohn's "Italian," the Philharmonic performed in a constricted area, as it has for the past two Memorial Day concerts.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The diffuser assembly utilizes the Venturi-Effect (fluid pressure decreases in response to a constricted area of flow), in order to disperse the carrier.

BMC Veterinary Research

The seminal book, Rules of Play Game Design Fundamentalss by Eric Zimmerman and Katie Salen, defined game environments as "a magic circle", a constricted area in which participants are free to play as long as they abide by the rules of the space and the design.

The Guardian - Tech

FAN was defined as present if an arteriole had a constricted area of three-quarters or less the width of distal vessel segment.

Diabetes Care

We believe that the programs, strategies and techniques that we have adopted in Missouri, will assist us in getting our market share in a constricted arena.

Science Magazine

The improvements made to regional models have allowed for significant improvements in tropical cyclone track and air quality forecasts; however, atmospheric models perform poorly at handling processes that occur in a relatively constricted area, such as wildfires.

Wikipedia

Furthermore, confocal microscopic observation revealed that a division septum was formed in the constricted area of a dividing paramecium, producing arrest of cytoplasmic streaming.

Plosone

Results obtained in this study suggested that a division septum formed in the constricted area of dividing P. bursaria causes the arrest of cytoplasmic streaming.

Plosone

Sema3A induces phosphorylation of the myosin light chain to promote actomyosin contraction, resulting in increased DC velocity in the constricted area.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

This time he was limited to a single tower at the northeast corner of the site, with a mandate to pack commercial and retail space onto a more constricted area.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a constricted area" when you want to emphasize that a space is not only small, but also feels limited or tight due to external factors or design. This can be particularly effective in descriptions of physical spaces or even abstract concepts like market segments.

Common error

Avoid using "in a constricted area" in everyday conversation where simpler phrases like "small space" or "tight spot" would suffice. The phrase is more appropriate for formal writing or technical descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a constricted area" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe the location or condition in which an action takes place. As shown in Ludwig, the phrase specifies the environment where something occurs.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a constricted area" is a prepositional phrase functioning as an adverbial modifier, used to specify a spatial limitation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for describing a small or limited space. While the phrase appears more frequently in science and news media contexts, its overall usage is relatively rare. When using "in a constricted area", it's important to consider the level of formality and whether simpler alternatives like "small space" might be more appropriate. The sources examined highlight its descriptive function in various fields, from scientific research to arts reviews.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a limited space

Replaces "constricted" with "limited", focusing on the restriction of space.

in a confined space

Substitutes "constricted" with "confined", highlighting the enclosed nature of the area.

in a narrow space

Replaces "constricted" with "narrow", emphasizing the lack of width.

in a tight space

Uses "tight" instead of "constricted", suggesting a small and possibly uncomfortable area.

within a small area

Rephrases to emphasize the diminutive size of the area.

within a reduced area

Uses "reduced" instead of "constricted", focusing on the decrease in size.

in a cramped area

Replaces "constricted" with "cramped", suggesting a lack of space and potential discomfort.

in a compressed space

Substitutes "constricted" with "compressed", emphasizing the pressure or squeezing of the area.

within a restricted zone

Uses "restricted zone" instead of "constricted area", adding a sense of limitation or prohibition.

in a circumscribed region

Replaces with more formal terms, maintaining the sense of limitation but with a higher register.

FAQs

How can I use "in a constricted area" in a sentence?

You can use "in a constricted area" to describe a limited or confined space, such as "The performers were working "in a confined space" on the small stage."

What are some alternatives to "in a constricted area"?

Alternatives include "in a limited space", "in a confined space", or "in a narrow space", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "in a constricted area"?

Use "in a constricted area" when you want to emphasize that a space is not just small but also feels limited or tight, especially due to external factors or design. It's suitable for formal writing and technical descriptions.

Is "in a constricted area" formal or informal?

The phrase "in a constricted area" is generally considered more formal. Simpler terms like "small space" or "tight spot" are better suited for informal conversation.