not more than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not more than" is correct and can be used in written English.
You use it when you are emphasizing the maximum that something can be. For example, "You must not eat more than one piece of cake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not more than that.

The New Yorker

Not more than the next person.

The New Yorker

"It's not more than I expected.

The New York Times - Sports

But not more than this.

The New Yorker

"Not more than anybody else".

The Guardian

"Not more than 10 people," he concluded.

The New York Times

Not nothing, but not more than excitement.

The Guardian

"Not more than anyone else," she said.

The New York Times

It was 20, not more than 200.

The New York Times

The difference value between them is not more than 12%.

Computers and Geotechnics

Maybe there was an exception, but not more than one.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not more than", ensure the context clearly defines the units or quantities being limited. For example, "The meeting should last not more than one hour."

Common error

Be cautious when using "not more than" with approximate figures. If the actual value is significantly less than the stated maximum, consider a more accurate description to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not more than" functions as a limiter, specifying an upper bound or maximum value. It indicates that a quantity or degree does not exceed a certain limit. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not more than" is a versatile limiter used to specify an upper bound or maximum value. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various domains, including news, academia, and science. When writing, remember to clearly define the units being limited and avoid using it with approximate figures if greater precision is possible. Alternatives include "at most" and "no greater than", allowing for stylistic variation. With these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately incorporate "not more than" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no more than

This alternative shares similar meaning and structure.

at most

This alternative is shorter and more direct, implying a maximum limit.

up to

This alternative indicates a maximum value or quantity.

no greater than

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the limit in terms of magnitude.

not exceeding

This alternative is a formal way to express a maximum limit, often used in legal or technical contexts.

a maximum of

This alternative explicitly states that the value is a maximum.

not above

This alternative indicates a value that cannot be surpassed.

limited to

This alternative focuses on the restriction or constraint being imposed.

not surpassing

This alternative is a more formal way of saying "not exceeding".

within the bounds of

This alternative is a more descriptive phrase indicating that something must remain inside certain limits.

FAQs

How can I use "not more than" in a sentence?

Use "not more than" to set an upper limit or restriction on a quantity or value. For example, "You should spend "no more than" 30 minutes on this task".

What are some alternatives to "not more than"?

Alternatives include "at most", "up to", or "no greater than", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "not more then" instead of "not more than"?

No, the correct phrase is "not more than". "Then" is used for time or sequence, while "than" is used for comparison.

What's the difference between "not more than" and "no more than"?

In most contexts, "not more than" and "no more than" are interchangeable. The choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.