put a limit

USAGE SUMMARY

"put a limit" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to set or establish a boundary or restriction on something. Example: The government must put a limit on carbon emissions to reduce the impact of climate change.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I would never put a limit on my goals.

The New Yorker

Let's put a limit on what law professors can make".

The New York Times

On the other, he does not want his team to put a limit on their ambitions.

Independent

As Michael Phelps recently said, "You can't put a limit on anything.

The New York Times

"Often the government will put a limit on how long they can stay.

The New York Times

That will inevitably put a limit on how fast India's economy can grow.

The Economist

That put a limit on how far he dared to push the reliable old autocrats.

The Economist

But we had to put a limit on our bid and so we lost it".

The New York Times - Arts

The team purposefully decided to put a limit on the extent of the improvements.

The Guardian - Tech

Let's put a limit on what think-tank guys can make.

The New York Times

put a limit on the forms and degree of engagement in the economic sphere.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put a limit", clearly state what is being limited and why to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The company should put a limit on travel expenses to reduce costs."

Common error

Avoid setting limits that are too vague or general. Instead of saying "We need to put a limit on spending", specify which areas of spending are being limited and what the exact limit is.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put a limit" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of imposing a restriction or boundary. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples show it used in contexts ranging from personal goals to governmental regulations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "put a limit" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression for describing the act of imposing restrictions. As Ludwig AI states, it's a versatile phrase applicable in various contexts, from personal aspirations to formal regulations. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, but also appears in scientific and business contexts. When using "put a limit", ensure clarity about what is being limited and why. Alternatives such as "impose a restriction" or "set a boundary" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impose a restriction

Emphasizes a formal or authoritative action of setting a limit.

set a boundary

Focuses on defining the extent or range of something.

establish a constraint

Highlights the restrictive aspect of setting a limit.

restrict

Focuses on the act of limiting freedom or scope.

place a ceiling

Suggests setting an upper limit.

define the scope

Implies setting a clear boundary around what is included or allowed.

fix a maximum

Emphasizes setting an upper bound or highest permissible amount.

cap

A shorter, more informal way to say "put a limit" regarding quantity or amount.

curb

Implies restraining or controlling something.

set a threshold

Specifies a point or level that something cannot exceed or fall below.

FAQs

How can I use "put a limit" in a sentence?

You can use "put a limit" to describe the act of setting a restriction on something. For instance, "The school decided to "put a limit" on the number of students per class".

What are some alternatives to "put a limit"?

Alternatives include "impose a restriction", "set a boundary", or "establish a constraint" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "place a limit" instead of "put a limit"?

Yes, "place a limit" is a correct and semantically similar alternative to "put a limit". Both phrases are acceptable and can be used interchangeably in many contexts.

What's the difference between "put a limit" and "set a limit"?

While both phrases are very similar, "set a limit" might imply a more formal or deliberate action, whereas "put a limit" can be used more broadly. However, the difference is often negligible.