no more than

USAGE SUMMARY

"no more than" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use "no more than" when you want to emphasize the limit of something, such as the amount of time, money, or effort that is allowed for a certain activity. For example, "We have no more than three hours to finish this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No more than $250 total.

The New York Times

No more than I could.

The New Yorker

No more than the usual.

The New York Times - Health

No more than an hour.

Independent

No more than the Cuba example.

The Economist

Yes, but no more than usual.

The New York Times

No more than forty, I should think.

The New Yorker

No more than he could beg her.

The New Yorker

No more than $25 a bottle.

The New York Times - Food

No more than three to five.

The New York Times - Sports

"No more than the framers agreed".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When setting clear limits or constraints, use "no more than" to leave no room for ambiguity. This helps ensure that expectations are clearly understood and followed.

Common error

Avoid using "no more than" when you intend to convey an approximate value. "No more than" strictly indicates an upper limit, not a rough estimate. For approximations, use phrases like "approximately", "around", or "about".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no more than" functions as a limiter, specifying an upper boundary or maximum extent. Ludwig examples show it defining limits on quantities, values, and even abstract concepts, such as time or effort. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"No more than" is a versatile phrase used to establish upper limits or constraints across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted. Analysis of Ludwig examples reveals that it frequently appears in News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business settings. To ensure effective communication, use "no more than" to unambiguously define maximum values, quantities, or extents, and be mindful not to use it when an approximation is intended. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as ""at most"" or ""a maximum of"", tailoring your choice to the specific level of formality and emphasis required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at most

This phrase provides a straightforward way to indicate the upper limit of something.

a maximum of

It's a more formal way to indicate an upper bound.

not exceeding

This phrase emphasizes that a certain value should not be surpassed.

up to

Indicates the highest acceptable limit, often used in less formal contexts.

no greater than

This phrase offers a more formal and emphatic way of setting a limit.

limited to

Focuses on the restriction imposed on something.

not surpassing

Similar to 'not exceeding', but perhaps with a slightly stronger connotation of restriction.

confined to

Implies a strict boundary or restriction.

capped at

Suggests an official or pre-determined upper limit.

not beyond

A more literary or formal way to state that something should not exceed a certain limit.

FAQs

How can I use "no more than" in a sentence?

Use "no more than" to specify an upper limit. For example, "You should spend "no more than" 30 minutes on this task" indicates that the maximum time allowed is 30 minutes.

What phrases are similar to "no more than"?

Alternatives include "at most", "a maximum of", or "not exceeding", depending on the context. Each emphasizes a limit in a slightly different way.

Is there a difference between "no more than" and "no less than"?

"No more than" indicates an upper limit, while "no less than" specifies a lower limit. For instance, "no more than 10" means the quantity cannot exceed 10, whereas "no less than 10" means it must be at least 10.

Can I use "no more than" for non-numerical limits?

Yes, "no more than" can be used to limit non-numerical aspects, such as effort or attention. For example, "Give it "no more than" a passing thought" suggests limiting the amount of mental energy spent on something.