previous limit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous limit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a limit that was set or established before the current context or situation. Example: "The previous limit on the budget was $10,000, but it has now been increased."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

(The previous limit was 500 words).

The New York Times

The previous limit was 100 miles.

The New York Times

Severance packages will also be capped at a maximum of 24 months, half the previous limit.

The New York Times

The previous limit, giving inmates only 21 days after sentencing to bring up new evidence, was the nation's most restrictive.

The New York Times

Barak gave, gritted his teeth, and gave again, testing the democratic support of his constituency beyond any previous limit.

The Guardian - Books

That is a 10 percent reduction, said Mr. Buechner, explaining that the previous limit was a pound.

The New York Times

Firms will only be allowed to make investments abroad equivalent to their capital, from a previous limit of four times.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

In a test in England, cyclists exceeded their previous limits when faced with a virtual opponent.

The New York Times

The previous limits also did not account for credit exposures generated by derivatives and other complex transactions.

The New York Times

The state's Insurance Department, however, said the new deadlines would protect all car owners because the previous limits provided greater opportunity for the fraudulent schemes that raise premiums.

The New York Times

Mutant Pump contains a proprietary compound called Hyperox, which pushes the body's nitric-oxide production "past all previous limits," according to its marketing material.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing changes in regulations or specifications, use "previous limit" to clearly differentiate the old value from the new one. For example, "The new essay word count is 650, up from the "previous limit" of 500."

Common error

Avoid using "previous limit" when you actually mean the current or existing limit. Ensure you're referring to a limit that has been superseded, not one that's still in effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous limit" functions as a noun phrase specifying a boundary or restriction that existed at an earlier time. Ludwig indicates it's grammatically correct and usable when describing changes or revisions to standards, regulations, or capabilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previous limit" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to a past restriction that has been updated or replaced. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. As illustrated by the examples, it's frequently used in news, science, and business contexts to highlight changes in regulations, capabilities, or standards. When using this phrase, ensure that you are indeed referring to a limit that is no longer in effect to avoid confusion. Alternatives such as "former restriction", "prior constraint", and "old ceiling" offer similar meanings depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

former restriction

Focuses on the restrictive aspect, using 'former' to indicate it's no longer in effect.

prior constraint

Emphasizes the limiting nature with 'constraint' and 'prior' indicating its earlier status.

old ceiling

Implies a maximum value or upper boundary that has been replaced.

earlier boundary

Highlights the demarcation aspect, indicating a line that defined the extent previously.

preceding threshold

Stresses the point at which something changes, now surpassed by a new threshold.

original upper bound

More formal, emphasizing the original maximum allowable value.

initial limitation

Focuses on the initial restriction, which has since been modified or removed.

superseded maximum

Clearly indicates that the maximum value has been replaced by a newer one.

past restriction

Uses a more general term to describe a rule or condition from the past.

outdated cap

Indicates that the maximum value or limit is old and no longer in effect.

FAQs

How do I use "previous limit" in a sentence?

Use "previous limit" to refer to a restriction, boundary, or maximum value that has been superseded by a new one. For example, "The revised guidelines lowered the cholesterol target; the "previous limit" was 130."

What's a simple way to describe "previous limit"?

A straightforward way to describe "previous limit" is to use "former restriction" or "earlier boundary", depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "previous limit"?

It would be incorrect to use "previous limit" when referring to the current limit or if the limit has not changed. Make sure the limit you are referring to is outdated or has been replaced.

What words are similar to the phrase "previous limit"?

Similar phrases include "prior constraint", "old ceiling", or "superseded maximum". Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the outdated limit.