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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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limited less than

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "limited less than" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a restriction or a threshold, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The budget is limited less than what we initially planned."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

However, even when, the descending scales of the performance of the three schemes are limited (less than 10%), which indicates that our proposed schemes are effective when the packet loss exits.

In general, the ability to excavate CLSM at later ages is an important consideration on many projects and if future re-excavation is expected for maintenance purposes, the compressive strength should be limited less than 1.4 MPa (ACI 229 R-99, 2005; Sheen et al. 2013).

However, in soybean meal the acid effects were limited (less than 0.5 log10 reduction) even after several weeks' exposure.

Contact duration may be limited (less than 24 h), prolonged (>24 h to 30 days), and permanent (>30 days).

Though the terrestrial area of western China is huge, the available land for construction, living and farming is still limited, less than half of the total.

The fact that CD4+IFNγ+ cell transfer led to only transient protection from diabetes development could imply that (1) the number of cells transferred was limited (less than 1 × 10 cells/recipient), (2) pathogenic cells were also enriched, (3) too few regulatory cells were enriched or (4) the regulatory properties of those cells were lost with time.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

With an upper cycling limit less than 2.1 V (rhe) there was a tendency for formation of only one hydrous oxide product which reduced just below 0.4 V (rhe).

Of the remaining schools located in areas below the pollution limit, less than a fifth were in deprived areas.

News & Media

The Guardian

Of the 1,344 schools located in areas below the pollution limit, less than a fifth were in deprived areas.

News & Media

The Guardian

Nuclear plants, the regulators suggested, will be allowed to operate as long as the odds of a melt down accident are kept within a certain limit: less than one meltdown per 10,000 reactors-years of operation.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Moreover, the device has a fast response time (less than 4 ms), low pressure detect limit (less than 7.3 Pa) and long-term service life (over than 10000 cycles test).

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey a restriction or upper threshold, use clear and grammatically sound alternatives like "less than", "not exceeding", or "up to".

Common error

Using "limited less than" can create a confusing double negative. Ensure your phrasing clearly states the intended restriction, such as "limited to less than" or "restricted to under".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

3.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "limited less than" is intended to function as a restrictive modifier, aiming to set an upper boundary. However, according to Ludwig AI, the construction is not grammatically sound and doesn't convey a clear meaning in standard English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

23%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "limited less than" is grammatically incorrect and not considered standard English. While its intended meaning is to express a restriction below a certain threshold, it's better to use clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives. As Ludwig AI explains, it's better to rephrase this expression to "limited to less than", "restricted to under", or another similar construction. Usage is uncommon, and although found in science, news, and general contexts, it should be avoided in formal writing. By employing alternatives like "not exceeding" or "up to", writers can ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "limited less than" to be grammatically correct?

Instead of "limited less than", use phrases like "restricted to under", "capped at below", or simply "less than".

Is "limited less than" considered proper English?

No, "limited less than" is not considered proper English. It's better to use clearer alternatives like "limited to less than" or "restricted to under".

What does "limited less than" actually mean?

The intended meaning is likely to indicate a maximum value or threshold that something cannot exceed. However, the phrasing is grammatically awkward. You can use alternatives such as "does not exceed" instead.

What's the difference between "limited less than" and "limited to less than"?

"Limited less than" is grammatically incorrect, while "limited to less than" is the correct and commonly used way to express that something is restricted to a value below a certain point. Consider "smaller than" as well.

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Most frequent sentences: