set a cap on

USAGE SUMMARY

“set a cap on” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to talk about setting a limit or restricting something. For example, "The government has set a cap on the amount of carbon emissions allowed from factories."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But under this proposal, the federal government would set a cap on its spending for other groups that now account for one-third of all Medicaid recipients.

The New York Times

Prosecutors requested the judge set a cap on the possible penalty at six months.

The Washington Post

Then leaders will set a cap on the size of the executive of fewer than 27.

The New York Times

(They can, however, set a cap on the amount of money they are willing to spend).

The New York Times

The first option outlined by civil servants is "to set a cap on the maximum value of support per user".

Independent

Yet legislation passed late last year set a cap on rates and even allowed borrowers to reclaim interest already paid.

The Economist

Set a cap on your working hours, switch off your emails and set aside time to relax.

The Guardian

Long ago, New York City set a cap on the number of yellow cabs and the cost of entry into that business got absurdly high.

Columbia University

"Simplistic" was Russian President Medvedev's verdict on an American proposal to set a cap on nations' trade surpluses, already trashed by the Japanese and Chinese.

Independent

The first option outlined by civil servants in the document is "to set a cap on the maximum value of support per user".

Independent

Initially, the tax was set to be 150 forints per gigabyte of internet traffic, but Fidesz said it would set a cap on the levy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "set a cap on", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being limited and the specific value or condition of the cap. For example, "The company will set a cap on travel expenses at $1000 per employee per year."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly defining the scope and conditions of the "cap". For example, don't say "We'll set a cap on spending." Instead, specify "We'll set a cap on marketing spending for the third quarter."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set a cap on" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the act of establishing an upper limit or maximum value for something. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment, indicating it's a standard and accepted construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "set a cap on" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that signifies the act of establishing an upper limit or maximum value. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While alternatives like "impose a limit on" or "establish a ceiling for" exist, "set a cap on" offers a direct and readily understandable way to convey the concept of restriction. For optimal clarity, ensure you clearly define what is being capped and the specific limits involved. This phrase enjoys widespread usage across reputable sources, reinforcing its reliability and acceptability in formal and informal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Put a maximum on

Simple and direct substitution for "set a cap".

Set a maximum threshold of

Similar to setting a cap, this focuses on the upper limit.

Impose a limit on

Replaces "set" with "impose", which suggests a more forceful or authoritative action.

Establish a ceiling for

Uses "ceiling" instead of "cap", offering a slightly more formal tone.

Limit to a maximum of

Emphasizes the limiting action and specifies a maximum value.

Place a restriction on

Focuses on the restrictive aspect of setting a limit.

Fix the upper limit at

Highlights the act of fixing or determining a specific upper limit.

Define an upper threshold for

More technical and precise, suitable for formal contexts.

Apply an upper bound to

Uses more technical terminology, suitable for mathematical or scientific contexts.

Restrict to a certain level

Generalizes the idea of capping to restricting to any level, not necessarily a maximum.

FAQs

How can I use "set a cap on" in a sentence?

You can use "set a cap on" to indicate establishing a limit or upper boundary for something. For example, "The city council decided to set a cap on property taxes."

What are some alternatives to "set a cap on"?

Alternatives include "impose a limit on", "establish a ceiling for", or "place a restriction on", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "set a cap on"?

Yes, "set a cap on" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe establishing a limit.

When is it appropriate to use "set a cap on" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "set a cap on" when you want to clearly communicate that a limit or maximum has been established, whether for spending, emissions, or any other quantifiable measure. If not, it is preferable to "place a restriction on".