shall not exceed

USAGE SUMMARY

'shall not exceed' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express a limit or restriction imposed on a given situation; for example, "The number of people in the room at any one time shall not exceed fifty."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

the interest rate shall not exceed 9percentt.

Cornell University

(ii) A temporary closure shall not exceed 12 months.

Cornell University

shall not exceed the rate determined under paragraph (2).

Cornell University

Pitch grade shall not exceed 1v 5h (20percentt).

Cornell University

except that such rate shall not exceed 9percentt.

Cornell University

except that such rate shall not exceed 8.25percentt.

Cornell University

"The number of representatives shall not exceed one for every 30,000," the founders wrote.

The New York Times

The amount specified in any election made under this subsection shall not exceed $250,000.

Cornell University

(ii) The 7-days average shall not exceed 60 mg/l.

Cornell University

The total time for debate on all amendments shall not exceed 10 hours.

Cornell University

kHz band shall not exceed the general radiated emission limits in Section 15.209.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shall not exceed", ensure the unit of measurement is clearly stated to avoid misinterpretation (e.g., "The temperature shall not exceed 25 degrees Celsius").

Common error

Avoid using "shall not exceed" in informal contexts where simpler phrases like "must not go over" or "shouldn't be more than" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shall not exceed" functions as a directive expression, setting a limit or upper bound. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in formal contexts to impose restrictions, as seen in numerous examples from legal and technical documents.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

News & Media

15%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shall not exceed" is a directive phrase used to set an upper limit in formal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence in academic, legal, and technical domains. To use it effectively, ensure you specify the units and avoid it in informal settings. The phrase is best replaced by alternatives like "is limited to" or "must not go over" in less formal communication. This comprehensive analysis offers the relevant knowledge for using "shall not exceed" with accuracy and confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shall be no more than

This alternative provides a more emphatic declaration of an upper limit.

is restricted to

This alternative directly states that something is subject to a specific limitation.

cannot be greater than

This alternative states the limit in terms of maximum value using explicit comparison.

may not be more than

This alternative uses a permissive tone while still indicating a maximum threshold.

is limited to

This alternative rephrases the restriction as a defined boundary.

will not be above

This alternative employs a future tense to specify an upper constraint.

should not surpass

This alternative is slightly more formal, replacing "exceed" with "surpass" to denote a limit.

is capped at

This alternative uses the term "capped" to describe an imposed upper limit.

does not go beyond

This alternative uses less formal vocabulary to convey the sense of a boundary that should not be crossed.

must not go over

This alternative is less formal and uses common vocabulary to express a limit.

FAQs

How can I use "shall not exceed" in a sentence?

You can use "shall not exceed" to set an upper limit, for example, "The budget "shall not exceed" $10,000" or "The duration of the meeting "shall not exceed" one hour".

What are some alternatives to "shall not exceed"?

Alternatives include "must not go over", "is limited to", "cannot be greater than", or "is capped at", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "shall not exceed" in writing?

"Shall not exceed" is appropriate in formal writing, contracts, regulations, or technical documentation where precise limits need to be established. It is less suitable for informal communication.

What is the difference between "shall not exceed" and "must not exceed"?

While both phrases indicate a restriction, "shall not exceed" is generally considered more formal and is often used in legal or official contexts. "Must not exceed" is also formal but can be used more broadly. The choice depends on the specific tone and context of the writing.