limited turnout

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "limited turnout" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the number of participants or attendees is lower than expected or desired. Example: "The event was well-planned, but unfortunately, there was a limited turnout due to the bad weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Marines here — who were ordered not to go to the actual polling place — said they were surprised at even the limited turnout.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Islamist movement to which Mr Morsi belongs, the Muslim Brotherhood, and its allies have called for a boycott and mass demonstrations aimed at limiting turnout.

BBC

And lately, Clinton supporters have tried tactics to limit turnout.

Huffington Post

(These efforts may have limited Democratic turnout in several battleground states, including Wisconsin, Ohio, and North Carolina).

The New Yorker

The Midland Beach gathering was more of a mini-festival, since threatening rains and mechanical breakdowns limited the turnout to four trucks, a van and a tent representing the local Killmeyer's Old Bavarian Inn.

The New York Times - Food

If the election is won by mobilising your base, you do not need to concern yourself with the other side, except to limit its turnout.

The Economist

They can also oppose state attempts to limit voter turnout, and use their money to encourage voter registration and participation in both primary and general elections.

The New York Times

And since Republicans are doing all they can with voter suppression laws to limit the turnout of people who most often vote Democratic, social media might be a way to help even the score.

The New York Times

Republican success at the local level has so far been limited: Democratic primary turnout is still far above Republican turnout in Mississippi.

The New York Times

But that surge in turnout was limited to the college educated and college resident.

Huffington Post

Even if that's wrong, a small turnout limits the number of people who need to be persuaded.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an event or situation, use "limited turnout" to objectively indicate that the number of attendees or participants was lower than anticipated. Avoid using emotionally charged language unless the context warrants it.

Common error

Avoid assuming the cause of a "limited turnout" without sufficient evidence. Consider factors like weather, competing events, or lack of promotion before drawing conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "limited turnout" functions as a noun phrase, where "limited" is an adjective modifying the noun "turnout". As Ludwig AI explains, it describes a scenario where participation or attendance is less than expected or desired.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "limited turnout" describes a situation where the number of attendees or participants is lower than expected. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, primarily in news and media. Alternatives include "low attendance" or "poor showing". When using the phrase, it's important to avoid making assumptions about the cause without evidence. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various forms of communication, and its versatility is reinforced by a multitude of sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

low attendance

Focuses more directly on the number of people present.

poor showing

Emphasizes the disappointing nature of the number of attendees.

reduced participation

Highlights the decrease in the number of people taking part.

sparse crowd

Refers to the small number of people present.

thinly attended

Describes an event or meeting where few people are present.

weak participation

Emphasizes that the involvement of individuals was not strong.

small gathering

Highlights the small number of people in a group.

meager turnout

Conveys a sense of inadequacy or scarcity in the number of attendees.

disappointing attendance

Directly states that the attendance was not satisfactory.

underwhelming turnout

Implies that the number of people who attended was less than expected.

FAQs

What does "limited turnout" mean?

The phrase "limited turnout" refers to a situation where the number of people attending an event or participating in an activity is smaller than expected or desired. It suggests that attendance or participation was low.

How can I use "limited turnout" in a sentence?

You might say, "The concert had a "limited turnout" due to the heavy rain" or "Despite the advertising campaign, the meeting suffered from a "limited turnout".

What are some synonyms for "limited turnout"?

Alternatives include "low attendance", "poor showing", or "reduced participation". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What factors might cause a "limited turnout"?

Possible causes include bad weather, lack of promotion, competing events, inconvenient timing or location, or lack of interest in the topic. Each situation needs to be assessed to understand the specific reasons.