limits by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "limits by" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to convey a restriction or boundary imposed by something, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "The project is limited by the available resources."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

A LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS, by Chrissie Wellington.

The New York Times

A sign listed speed limits by weight.

The New Yorker

The Mayor's bill proposed extending term limits by four years.

The New Yorker

They have repeatedly criticized the idea of setting limits by regulation when Congress refused to set similar limits by legislation.

The New York Times

In most cases, the decisions raised borrowers' credit limits by 15percentt, he said.

The New York Times

The mayor claims that the city's fiscal crisis merits overturning voter-ratified term limits by legislation.

The New York Times

However, it has been criticised because EU legislation requires cities to meet NO2 limits by 2015.

The Guardian

Output limits by oil-producing nations have pushed crude oil prices up over the last year.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Here are some other films that have been made off-limits by state or local censors.

The Guardian - Film

Cuban bureaucracy persists, and many subjects, particularly events after 1959, are still deemed off-limits by the authorities.

The New York Times - Arts

While Lavigne's aggregation efforts were deemed off-limits by some tech platforms, they do raise compelling questions.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating limitations, use phrases like "limited by", "restricted by", or "constrained by" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "limits by" as it is grammatically incorrect and can lead to confusion. Always opt for clearer alternatives like "limited by" or "restricted by" to ensure your writing is precise and easily understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "limits by" is grammatically incorrect, attempting to convey a restriction or boundary imposed by something. Ludwig AI analysis suggests that it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. The correct usage would typically involve a passive construction or a preposition indicating restriction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "limits by" appears frequently in various sources, it is grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives, such as "limited by", "restricted by", or "constrained by", should be used to express the intended meaning of something being restricted or confined. Given its prevalence primarily in News & Media and Science contexts, it is crucial to opt for grammatically correct alternatives, especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited by

Uses a passive voice construction to clearly indicate that something is being restricted.

restricted by

Similar to 'limited by', but emphasizes a stricter form of constraint.

constrained by

Highlights the presence of forces or factors that confine or impede.

bounded by

Suggests that something is confined within specific boundaries or limits.

governed by limits of

Specifies that the limits are in control of the verb.

subject to limits imposed by

Highlights that the limit is enforced by something.

within the limits of

Indicates that something falls inside the established limits.

circumscribed by

Suggests a more formal or technical restriction.

defined by limits of

Emphasizes that the limits are in control of the definition.

dependent on limits established by

Suggests that something relies on external limits.

FAQs

What is the correct way to express that something is restricted?

Instead of "limits by", it is grammatically correct to use phrases such as "limited by", "restricted by", or "constrained by".

How can I rephrase a sentence using "limits by" to be grammatically sound?

Replace "limits by" with a more appropriate phrase like "limited by" or "subject to the limits of" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "limits by" and "limited by"?

"Limits by" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "limited by", which indicates that something is restricted or confined by something else.

When should I use "limited by" instead of "limits by"?

Always use "limited by" because "limits by" is not grammatically correct. The phrase "limited by" is used to indicate that something is being restricted in some way.