prohibitively narrow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prohibitively narrow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively limited or restrictive, often in a context where such limitations are problematic. Example: "The options available for the project were prohibitively narrow, leaving little room for creativity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Those included portions presented what the majority said was a prohibitively narrow definition of recess appointment power that would have rendered them difficult for future presidents to use.

The Guardian

"Adding external insulation would make the alley prohibitively narrow and it couldn't be insulated on the inside because that would have meant radically altering the staircase at great expense".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The relatively low historical success rate for registration of cancer drugs suggests that the funnel can be prohibitively narrow for this medication class.

CPT: Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Narrow Escape The slide was temporarily closed and almost removed in 1997-98 when it required prohibitively expensive repairs.

The New York Times

Prohibitively expensive.

The New York Times

This is now prohibitively unlikely.

The New Yorker

The tickets are prohibitively expensive.

The Guardian - Sport

Data costs are prohibitively high.

The Guardian

Commercial distribution remains prohibitively expensive.

The New Yorker

Flights were complicated and prohibitively expensive.

The Economist

But that would be prohibitively expensive.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prohibitively narrow" when you want to emphasize that something is so limited it becomes impractical or impossible to use or achieve the desired outcome. For example, "The selection of candidates was so "prohibitively narrow" that we struggled to find a good fit."

Common error

While "prohibitively narrow" is correct, avoid using it excessively in very formal contexts. Consider more direct alternatives like "excessively restrictive" or "unduly limited" for a more refined tone.

Linguistic Context

"Prohibitively narrow" functions as an intensifier (prohibitively) modifying an adjective (narrow), describing something with extreme limitation or restriction. Ludwig's analysis confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and conveys the sense of being excessively limited.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prohibitively narrow" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something excessively limited, making it impractical. While infrequent, it appears in reliable sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Use it to emphasize the impracticality caused by severe limitations. If you need other options you can consider alternatives like "excessively restrictive" or "unduly limited" depending on the context. Be careful not to overuse it in highly formal writing for a more refined tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively restrictive

Focuses on the restricting aspect, implying rules or limitations are too tight.

unduly limited

Highlights the unfair or inappropriate nature of the limitation.

unacceptably confined

Emphasizes the sense of being trapped or restricted within boundaries.

overly circumscribed

Implies a careful and restricted definition or boundary.

severely curtailed

Suggests a significant reduction or limitation.

highly restricted

Emphasizes the high degree of restriction.

extremely limited

Highlights the lack of breadth or scope.

narrowly defined

Focuses on the precision and constraints of a definition.

tightly constrained

Implies strong limitations and controls.

excessively contracted

Indicates a reduction or shrinking to an undesirable extent.

FAQs

How can I use "prohibitively narrow" in a sentence?

You can use "prohibitively narrow" to describe options, definitions, or constraints that are excessively limited. For example: "The budget constraints made our options "prohibitively narrow"".

What does "prohibitively narrow" mean?

It means something is so limited or restricted that it becomes impractical or impossible to achieve a desired outcome. It implies that the limitations are a significant obstacle.

Are there synonyms for "prohibitively narrow"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "excessively restrictive", "unduly limited", or "extremely limited" depending on the context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "prohibitively narrow"?

Use "prohibitively narrow" when you want to emphasize the impracticality caused by severe limitations. It's suitable when the limitations are the primary obstacle to success.