limiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "limiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that places a restriction or boundary on a certain activity or situation. For example, "The new law will put a limiting effect on pollution levels in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They doubt that there is any limiting principle.

The New York Times

If you're limiting glucose, you're taking away their fuel.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All I've done this year is really to set myself free from those limiting beliefs and just go forward with confidence and stick it to a few people, and not be afraid to do so.

The Guardian - Sport

We would replace the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, which has failed … [We would] Follow human rights judgments limiting surveillance and data retention in full; [and] support the EU's proposals to strengthen data protection laws against opposition from large US data-driven companies".

The Guardian - Tech

Limiting global warming to the agreed global target of 2C means staying within a 'carbon budget' of 565 GT (gigatonnes or billion tonnes).

The Guardian

The Afghan government has recently passed a bill that will see the curtailment of the country's wedding industry, limiting guest lists to 500 and setting a cap of 400 Afghanis (£4.50) per head on food.

The Guardian - Opinion

It concluded that there is "little evidence to date that income management is resulting in widespread behaviour change, either with respect to building an ability to effectively manage money or in building 'socially responsible behaviour' beyond the direct impact of limiting the amount that can be spent on some items".

The Guardian - Business

If you start limiting health, why not limit other public services?

The Guardian

The lack of water has put a serious crimp in the hydroelectric line at Hoover Dam and other power plants across the west, limiting an inexpensive and pollution-free energy source that once was considered endless.

The Guardian

In the UK, the only official screen-time ruling comes from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which recently advised trying TV-free days, or limiting it to fewer than two hours a day, to maintain a healthy weight.

The Guardian - Tech

It would be unthinkable for MPs to pass a comprehensive package of powers to Scotland while simultaneously limiting Wales to yet another insufficient settlement.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "limiting", ensure the context clearly defines what is being restricted and the intended outcome of that restriction. For example, "limiting screen time" should specify the duration and the purpose (e.g., "to improve sleep quality").

Common error

Avoid using "limiting" without clearly specifying the scope. Vague statements like "limiting freedom" can be misinterpreted. Instead, specify what aspects of freedom are being limited and why, such as "limiting freedom of speech to prevent incitement to violence".

Linguistic Context

The word "limiting" primarily functions as a present participle and a gerund. As a present participle, it modifies nouns or pronouns, describing an ongoing action that imposes restrictions. As a gerund, it functions as a noun, denoting the act of restricting itself. Ludwig AI confirms this with various examples from different sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "limiting" functions primarily as a present participle or gerund, denoting the act of imposing restrictions or boundaries. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. To ensure clarity, always specify what is being limited and the intended outcome. Avoid vagueness by clearly defining the scope of the restriction. Alternatives include "restricting", "curtailing", and "constraining", each with subtle differences in connotation. The frequent usage and authoritative sourcing confirm "limiting" as a reliable and versatile term in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

restricting

Similar to limiting, but may imply more formalized or legal constraints.

imposing constraints

Focuses on the act of forcing limitations rather than the state of being limited.

placing restrictions

Emphasizes the act of setting up rules that limit activity.

curtailing

Suggests reducing something in extent or quantity.

setting boundaries

Focuses on defining the limits within which something is allowed.

confining

Implies restricting something to a specific area or scope.

capping

Implies setting an upper limit, often on quantities or spending.

inhibiting

Focuses on preventing or slowing down a process or action.

putting a ceiling on

Suggests imposing a maximum limit on something, often prices or spending.

narrowing

Implies reducing the scope or range of something.

FAQs

How is "limiting" used in a sentence?

"Limiting" functions as a present participle, often describing an action that restricts something. For example, "The new policy is "limiting access" to confidential data".

What are some alternatives to using the word "limiting"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "restricting", "curtailing", or "constraining".

How does "limiting" differ from "restricting"?

While both involve imposing boundaries, "limiting" often implies reducing the amount or degree of something, whereas "restricting" suggests a more formal or legal constraint.

Is there a difference between "limiting" and "inhibiting"?

"Limiting" focuses on setting boundaries, while "inhibiting" suggests preventing or slowing down a process. For example, "limiting screen time" reduces the duration, but "inhibiting screen use before bed" aims to prevent it entirely before sleep.