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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
limited less than
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Alternative expressions(20)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
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.
Science
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.
Science
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.
Science
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).
Science
Of the remaining schools located in areas below the pollution limit, less than a fifth were in deprived areas.
News & Media
Of the 1,344 schools located in areas below the pollution limit, less than a fifth were in deprived areas.
News & Media
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
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).
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".
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.
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.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
restricted to under
Emphasizes the act of restricting something to a value below a specified limit.
capped at below
Suggests an upper limit that is set below a certain value.
not exceeding
Implies a maximum value that cannot be surpassed.
no more than
Expresses a maximum quantity or degree.
at most
Indicates the highest possible amount or degree.
up to
Suggests a maximum limit that can be reached but not exceeded.
does not exceed
Similar to "not exceeding", but more formal.
smaller than
Focuses on the size or magnitude being below a threshold.
less than or equal to
Includes the possibility of being equal to the lower limit.
under
Directly indicates a value below a given threshold.
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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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
3.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested