not exceeding two

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not exceeding two" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to specify a limit or maximum number, often in formal or legal documents. Example: "Participants must submit no more than two entries, not exceeding two per person."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

And scientists will tell you that 50% gives you a some 66% probability of staying below [an atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide of] 450 parts per million, which in turn is a reasonable proxy for not exceeding two degrees.

Science Magazine

Then, the experiment was undertaken in a controlled environment and a predetermined time-limit – not exceeding two hours – avoiding the tiredness of the participants and the misunderstanding of violations, factors that could affect negatively the inspection's outcomes (Nielsen, 1995b).

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

S ection 296 of the Criminal Code of Canada states: "Every one who publishes a blasphemous libel is guilty of an indictable offense and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years".

Vice

Section 296 of the Criminal Code of Canada states: "Every one who publishes a blasphemous libel is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years".

Vice

Section 296 of the Criminal Code of Canada states: "Every one who publishes a blasphemous libel is guilty of an indictable offense and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years".

Vice

The period of detention may be renewed by the President indefinitely for periods not exceeding two years at a time as long as the grounds for detention continue to exist.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Congress moved to commemorate its fallen general by setting aside "a sum not exceeding three hundred pounds".

The New York Times

Militias, poorly disciplined and with elected officers, were summoned for periods usually not exceeding three months.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The excess land was expropriated and distributed to the peasants in parcels not exceeding five faddāns.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The three episodes should also occur in a period not exceeding three months after switchover.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

The three episodes should occur in a period not exceeding three months after randomisation.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When setting limits, ensure the context is clear. For instance, instead of saying "entries not exceeding two", specify "entries per person not exceeding two" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

A common mistake is assuming that "not exceeding two" means exclusively less than two. Clarify whether the limit is inclusive or exclusive based on your intention to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not exceeding two" functions as a limiter or qualifier, specifying an upper boundary for a quantity or duration. Ludwig confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase. Examples show its use in setting limits for submissions, imprisonment terms, and other measurable quantities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not exceeding two" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for setting a limit or maximum value. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts from science and news to legal documents and general instructions. While alternatives like "at most two" or "no more than two" exist, "not exceeding two" provides a clear and unambiguous way to specify that a value should be two or less. Ensure clarity in your writing by specifying whether the limit is inclusive and avoiding assumptions about its meaning. With its correctness validated and diverse usage examples, you can confidently incorporate this phrase into your writing to convey precise restrictions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no more than two

This alternative directly specifies the upper limit, focusing on the maximum permissible quantity.

at most two

This phrase highlights the maximum limit, suggesting that two is the highest acceptable number.

up to two

This option indicates an inclusive limit, specifying that the quantity can be one or two.

a maximum of two

This alternative emphasizes the existence of an upper bound or limit.

not more than a couple

This option uses a less formal term, "couple", to imply a limit of two, making it suitable for casual contexts.

two or fewer

This explicitly states that the number should be either two or less than two.

a duplet or less

Using "duplet" offers a more technical or specific tone, suggesting a pair or less.

limited to two

This emphasizes that the quantity is strictly restricted, adding a sense of restriction.

does not go over two

This describes the quantity's restriction against exceeding two.

capped at two

This alternative implies an enforced limitation, common in technical or regulated contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "not exceeding two" in a sentence?

You can use "not exceeding two" to set an upper limit in various contexts. For instance, "Each participant can submit entries "no more than two" times" or "The penalty shall be imprisonment for a term "up to two years"".

What are some alternatives to "not exceeding two"?

Alternatives include phrases like "at most two", "no more than two", or "up to two". The choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "not exceeding two"?

Yes, "not exceeding two" is grammatically correct and widely used. It clearly indicates that the value should be two or less. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the phrase and offers examples of its use.

What's the difference between "not exceeding two" and "less than two"?

"Not exceeding two" means the value can be either one or two, while "less than two" means the value must be one. Therefore, "not exceeding two" includes two, whereas "less than two" excludes it.