restricted choice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "restricted choice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where options are limited or constrained in some way. Example: "The new policy has led to a restricted choice of courses for students, making it difficult for them to pursue their interests."

✓ Grammatically correct

Bridge (card game)

General limitations or constraints

Economic or political restrictions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

He correctly followed the principle of restricted choice.

The New York Times - Arts

(South was guided by the principle of restricted choice.

The New York Times

Restricted choice makes it easier to agree on what to watch.

The Economist

South cashed the spade king and finessed the eight successfully, a play influenced by the principle of restricted choice.

The New York Times - Arts

Some much smaller spot cards may be involved in a restricted choice decision, as the diagramed deal shows.

The New York Times - Arts

Since West might have played the jack from a J-10 combination, a modern player might rely on the principle of restricted choice.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

17 of the unassigned new students listed restricted choices and so are no longer guaranteed.

Stanford University

86 of the unassigned new students listed restricted choices and so are no longer guaranteed housing.

Stanford University

28 of the unassigned new students listed restricted choices and so are no longer guaranteed.

Stanford University

42 of the unassigned new students listed restricted choices and so are no longer guaranteed.

Stanford University

Those two students had restricted choices and a lottery number that did not allow us to offer them an assignment.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "restricted choice", ensure the context clearly indicates what is limiting the choice and who is affected. For instance, "The new regulations resulted in a "restricted choice" of medications for patients."

Common error

Avoid using "restricted choice" in contexts where the options are merely disliked rather than genuinely limited. For example, saying "I have a "restricted choice" of restaurants because I don't like fast food" is less accurate than saying "I prefer to avoid fast food".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "restricted choice" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "restricted" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "choice". It describes a situation where the available options are limited or constrained, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

22%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Restricted choice" is a noun phrase denoting a state where options are limited. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for describing scenarios with constrained possibilities. Its usage spans diverse fields like bridge, economics, and healthcare, with a tendency towards neutral to formal registers. While alternatives like "limited options" and "narrowed selection" exist, "restricted choice" uniquely emphasizes externally imposed limitations. When writing, ensure the context clarifies the source and impact of the limitation to maximize clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited options

Emphasizes the reduced number of available possibilities.

narrowed selection

Highlights the process of reducing the range of choices.

constrained choices

Focuses on the restrictions imposed on available options.

limited scope

Indicates a reduced range or extent of possibilities.

reduced alternatives

Stresses the fewer number of options compared to a previous state.

finite selection

Highlights the limited and defined nature of the available options.

curtailed options

Emphasizes that the choices have been cut short or reduced.

diminished alternatives

Indicates a decrease in the number of available choices.

controlled selection

Highlights that selection is managed or regulated, implying fewer options.

predetermined choices

Emphasizes that the available options were decided in advance, limiting possibilities.

FAQs

How can I use "restricted choice" in a sentence?

You can use "restricted choice" to describe situations where options are limited due to certain conditions or regulations. For example: "Due to budget cuts, students faced a "restricted choice" of elective courses."

What are some alternatives to "restricted choice"?

Alternatives include "limited options", "narrowed selection", or "constrained choices", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "restricted choice" and "limited options"?

"Restricted choice" often implies that the limitation is imposed by external factors, while "limited options" can refer to any situation where few choices are available, regardless of the cause.

Is it better to say "restrict choices" or "restricted choice"?

It depends on the context. "Restrict choices" is a verb phrase, meaning to limit options actively. "Restricted choice" is a noun phrase, describing the state of having limited options. For instance, "The new policy will restrict choices" versus "The new policy resulted in a "restricted choice"".