set a maximum of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set a maximum of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when specifying an upper limit for quantities, values, or conditions. Example: "The committee decided to set a maximum of 100 participants for the event." Alternative expressions include "establish a cap of" and "impose a limit of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

He set a maximum of 24 years with a non-parole period of 18 years, noting there was a "real statistical prospect" Dasilva would die in jail given he was almost 67.

The Guardian

The government has been heavily criticised for attempting to rush its controversial housing bill through parliament, last month quietly tabling an amendment to the bill that set a maximum of five-year terms for new council tenancies.

The Guardian

Normally Villa set a maximum of 1,200 such tickets bought via Ticketmaster but the number was quadrupled on Wednesday because of worries over possible delays caused by the Christmas post.

The Guardian - Sport

In the NSW supreme court sitting in Leeton on Wednesday, Justice Robert Allan Hulme set a maximum of one year and three months with no parole for being an accessory after the fact.

The Guardian

Partly due to pressure from campaigners, the government set out a draft bill last year to limit the age of surrogate mothers to 35, set a maximum of five pregnancies – including their own children – and to make medical insurance mandatory.

The Guardian

The Chapsal resolution set a maximum of 450,000,000 francs for reviving the Exposition next year and proposed that such funds be found partly in the profits from receipts.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The federal level for paint on toys sets a maximum of 75 parts per million.

The New York Times

The government also quietly tabled an amendment to the housing and planning bill that sets a maximum of five-year terms for new secure tenancies.

The Guardian

"Apple's Code sets a maximum of 60 work hours per week and requires at least one day of rest per seven days of work," the company said.

The New York Times

In a move condemned by Labour as likely to break up communities, the government has quietly tabled an amendment to the housing and planning bill that sets a maximum of five-year terms for new secure tenancies.

The Guardian

The company declined to say how many clients it has, but it sets a maximum of 5,000 members for a single office, a limit it said it had reached in some cities.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "set a maximum of", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being limited. For example, "The budget committee decided to "set a maximum of" $500 for travel expenses."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying the units and the subject being limited when using "set a maximum of". For example, instead of saying "We should set a maximum of 10", clarify: "We should "set a maximum of" 10 items per order."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set a maximum of" functions as a directive, establishing a constraint or upper limit. It's used to define the highest permissible value or quantity. Ludwig AI provides examples where this phrase is used in legal contexts, setting terms for tenancies, and even in science, where limits are set for certain variables.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "set a maximum of" is a useful construction for establishing an upper limit or restriction. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it appears in various contexts from news reports to scientific papers. While grammatically correct and widely understood, the phrase can benefit from context to specify what is being limited. Related phrases include "establish an upper limit of" and "cap at". Usage is fairly balanced across News & Media and Science, making it a versatile expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establish an upper limit of

Replaces "set" with "establish" and "maximum" with "upper limit", maintaining similar formality.

impose a ceiling of

Uses "impose" instead of "set" and "ceiling" instead of "maximum", suggesting a more authoritative restriction.

cap at

A shorter, more informal way to express setting a maximum limit.

limit to a maximum of

Adds "limit to" for emphasis, slightly increasing the length and explicitness.

fix the upper bound at

Uses more technical language, replacing "maximum" with "upper bound".

define a limit of

Focuses on defining the limit, rather than just setting it.

restrict to a high of

Uses "restrict" to suggest a tighter control and "high of" to refer to the maximum level.

put a restriction of

Emphasizes the act of restricting, slightly changing the focus.

place a constraint of

Emphasizes a constraint or restriction.

specify an upper threshold of

Uses formal language, suited for technical or legal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "set a maximum of" in a sentence?

Use "set a maximum of" to specify an upper limit. For example: "The organizers "set a maximum of" 20 participants for each workshop."

What's a formal alternative to "set a maximum of"?

A formal alternative is to use "establish an upper limit of". For example: "The regulations "establish an upper limit of" 5000 parts per million for this substance."

What can I say instead of "set a maximum of" to sound less formal?

You could use "cap at" to express the same idea in a more casual way. For instance, "We'll "cap at" 100 attendees."

Is it always necessary to specify 'of' after 'maximum' when "setting" a limit?

Yes, using "of" is grammatically correct when using the phrase "set a maximum of". Omitting "of" changes the meaning or creates an incomplete phrase. For instance, it's correct to say "set a maximum of 10", but not "set a maximum 10".