is narrow to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is narrow to" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe a limitation or restriction, but it lacks clarity and proper usage. Example: "The scope of the project is narrow to specific objectives."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

That depression is fringed by a shelf that is narrow to the west and south but widens to the east.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The plan's aim, say officials, is narrow: to stop Wall Street from gambling in capital markets with subsidised deposits.The timing of the proposal two days after Mr Obama's party suffered a thumping Senate-election loss in Massachusetts looks nakedly political.

The Economist

Started in 1992, its mandate is narrow: to demystify G.E.'s personnel policies, to provide a setting where G.E. blacks can meet one another and to develop a formal mentor program, in which G.E.'s senior executives are required to participate.

The New York Times

But the focus of his examinations is narrow, to the point that Sophal does little to consider the role of the political environment in shaping aid decisions.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But after taxes and benefits-in-kind, the gap is narrowed to four-to-one.

The Guardian - Money

In this study, the definition of context is narrowed to the location of auditory scene.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Today democracy is narrowed to mean elections.

Huffington Post

If SD(T) is narrowed to one, the differences are even greater (1.27 to 14.01).

Plosone

The road was narrowed to make space for bikes.

The Guardian

"He's narrowed to one effective pitch: his fastball.

The New York Times - Sports

The list has so far been narrowed to about 2,600.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "is narrow to", opt for clearer and more grammatically accepted phrases like "is limited to" or "is restricted to" to convey limitations.

Common error

Avoid using "to" after "narrow" when you intend to express limitation or restriction. "Narrow" typically refers to physical dimensions. Use "is limited to" or "is restricted to" for conveying the sense of limitation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is narrow to" functions incorrectly as it attempts to express limitation or restriction but fails grammatically. It incorrectly uses the adjective "narrow" with the preposition "to" where a construction like is limited to or is restricted to is needed. Ludwig AI identifies this phrase as grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is narrow to" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use. Ludwig AI identifies it as such, suggesting alternatives like "is limited to" or "is restricted to" for clarity and accuracy. While the intent is to define boundaries, the phrasing is improper and can undermine credibility, especially in formal contexts. Although examples exist in News & Media and Science, the phrase remains infrequent and should be avoided in favor of grammatically sound alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is limited to

This alternative offers a more direct and grammatically sound way to express a restriction.

is restricted to

Similar to "is limited to", this suggests a formal constraint or boundary.

is confined to

This implies a stricter or more enforced limitation.

is bounded by

This phrase suggests that something is limited by specific boundaries or constraints.

is subject to

Indicates that something is under the control of or affected by certain limitations.

is defined by

Suggests that the limits are part of the fundamental definition of something.

is tailored to

Emphasizes that something is specifically designed to fit certain constraints or requirements.

is specialized for

Highlights that something is designed to perform a particular function within certain limits.

is focused on

Indicates that the main attention or activity is directed toward a specific, limited area.

is directed at

Suggests that the efforts or resources are specifically aimed at a particular, limited goal.

FAQs

What phrases can replace "is narrow to"?

You can replace "is narrow to" with phrases like "is limited to", "is restricted to", or "is confined to" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

How can I use "is limited to" correctly in a sentence?

Use "is limited to" to indicate a specific boundary or constraint. For example, "The discussion is limited to the project's budget and timeline."

What is the difference between "is narrow to" and "is restricted to"?

"Is narrow to" is not grammatically correct. Use "is restricted to" to indicate that something is subject to specific rules, laws, or limitations.

Why is "is narrow to" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "is narrow to" doesn't align with standard English grammar conventions. "Narrow" typically describes physical dimensions or scope. For limitations, it's more accurate to use constructions like "is limited to" or "is restricted to".