physical constraint

USAGE SUMMARY

"physical constraint" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to a limitation or restriction imposed by physical factors or conditions. Example: The design team had to consider the physical constraints of the building's small size when creating their plans for the renovation.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fear stemmed from loud noises or the sudden loss of physical support; rage from physical constraint; love from stroking in erogenous zones.

The New Yorker

Easterling emphasises how infrastructure is not just a physical constraint, it is also the hidden rules that structure urban life.

The Guardian - Tech

The most important of those accidents was geographic: New York arose on a smallish island rather than on the mainland edge of a river or a bay, and the surrounding water served as a physical constraint to outward expansion.

The New Yorker

The evolution of the laptop form factor was being held back by an increasingly irrelevant technology, and they decided to improve the quality of their product by breaking free of a physical constraint.

The Guardian

The first notion involves an earlier, physical constraint on firing (namely, the broken gun); the other involves the current absence of a necessary consequence of firing (namely, a hot barrel).

The New York Times - Magazine

But there is, above all, the quasi-Gothic horror that emerges from Volmer's treatments—subjections of a terrifying physical constraint that may be a form of torture, of human experimentation, or simply of slow-motion murder and Lockhart's efforts to discover what's happening behind locked doors and in sealed-off antechambers, and to escape.

The New Yorker

Layout and physical constraint.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Then noting that a physical theory admits a generally covariant reformulation places no physical constraint on the theory.

SEP

The third term represents the physical constraint that limits the numerical range of light ray intensities.

IPSJ Transactions on Computer Vision and Applications

end{aligned} end{array} (10) Fig. 4 Illustration of physical constraint.

IPSJ Transactions on Computer Vision and Applications

subject to the physical constraint of nonnegativity of the coefficients α i.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "physical constraint", be specific about the nature of the physical limitation and its impact on the situation you're describing. For example, instead of saying "There was a physical constraint", specify what that constraint was (e.g., "The small size of the room was a physical constraint").

Common error

Avoid using "physical constraint" as a generic term for any limitation. Ensure the constraint is genuinely physical in nature, rather than, for example, economic or social.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "physical constraint" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that it correctly describes a limitation imposed by physical factors. Examples include "the physical constraint of limited space" or "gravity as a physical constraint."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "physical constraint" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe limitations imposed by physical factors. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts. It's frequently found in scientific and news media, highlighting its relevance in technical and factual discussions. Related phrases include "material limitation" and "spatial restriction", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts. When using the phrase, it's best to be specific about the physical limitation, and avoid using it too broadly. By recognizing its function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively communicate the impact of physical limitations in their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

material limitation

Focuses on the limitation arising from the physical properties of materials involved.

spatial restriction

Specifically refers to a restriction related to space or dimensions.

geometric constraint

Specifically indicates a limitation related to geometric properties or arrangements.

topographical barrier

Specifically emphasizes the barrier formed by the physical features of a landscape.

tangible limitation

Emphasizes the concrete and perceptible nature of the limitation.

mechanical limitation

Refers to the restriction related to the mechanics or operation of a system.

corporeal restriction

Focuses on restrictions related to the body or physical form.

logistic restriction

Focuses on the limitations regarding the logistics or practical arrangements.

environmental limitation

Highlights the environmental conditions imposing a boundary.

inherent limitation

Focuses on the limitation being naturally existing and an inseparable part of something.

FAQs

How can I use "physical constraint" in a sentence?

You can use "physical constraint" to describe a limitation imposed by physical factors. For example: "The building's design had to account for the "physical constraint" of limited space".

What are some alternatives to "physical constraint"?

Some alternatives include "physical restriction", "material limitation", or "spatial restriction", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "physical limitation" instead of "physical constraint"?

Yes, "physical limitation" is often interchangeable with "physical constraint", but ""physical constraint"" may imply a more rigid or unavoidable restriction.

What's the difference between "physical constraint" and "environmental constraint"?

"Physical constraint" refers to any limitation due to physical factors, while "environmental constraint" specifically refers to limitations imposed by environmental conditions, such as climate or resource availability.