stayed within limits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stayed within limits" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has adhered to certain boundaries or restrictions, whether they are physical, emotional, or situational. Example: "Despite the challenges, she stayed within limits and managed to complete the project successfully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They must stay within limits," he said.

The New York Times

For all its off-color humor, it is very careful to stay within limits.

The New York Times

Tehran pledged to stay within limits set by the 2015 nuclear accord, but the action hinted at a resumption of industrial-scale production if the pact unravels.

The New York Times

"Potential irritations in the capital markets, which would stay within limits, are of lesser importance compared to the harm to Germany that a too hasty decision would bring about".

The New York Times

It stays within limits on emissions, they say, and has not run afoul of the law.

Huffington Post

Provide gentle reminders to stay within limits, not constantly look around and push harder because the person next to you is better at a certain pose than others, and be willing to change out the plan based on the students in the room.

Huffington Post

Routine clinical monitoring will be used to ensure that biochemical monitoring stays within limits defined within LWH clinical guidelines.

BMC Pediatrics

One politician from the opposition BJP party was forced to apologise after stating the women who did not stay "within moral limits … paid the price".

The Guardian

Inflammatory parameters demonstrated a positive reaction during the anti-TNF-α treatment with adalimumab; the sIL-2R increased in three of 26 patients and decreased or stayed within normal limits in 23, whereas the ACE increased in two patients and decreased or stayed within normal limits in 24 of the 26.

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology

It is unclear exactly when the torture began, and whether the procedures followed stayed within the limits set forth by the Bush legal team.

The New York Times

Throughout the building and testing of the controllers, we were careful to ensure that the lasers' maximum permissible exposure (MPE) stayed within healthy limits.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions or processes, ensure the limits are clearly defined beforehand to provide context for how someone "stayed within limits".

Common error

Avoid using "stayed within limits" without specifying what those limits are. The phrase is more effective when the boundaries are explicitly stated or easily understood from the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stayed within limits" functions as a declarative statement, indicating that a subject adhered to established boundaries or constraints. It asserts compliance and control, similar to what Ludwig AI indicates. Examples show it applying to emissions, budgets, and regulations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stayed within limits" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate adherence to predefined boundaries, regulations, or constraints. As Ludwig AI confirms, its meaning is clear and applicable across diverse fields like news, science, and academia. While not exceedingly common, its precise meaning and availability of alternative phrases, such as "remained in bounds" or "complied with the regulations", ensures effective communication. When using this phrase, clearly defining the "limits" is crucial for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained in bounds

Focuses on the idea of remaining within defined boundaries or restrictions.

adhered to the restrictions

Highlights adherence, emphasizing specific pre-defined restrictions.

complied with the regulations

Emphasizes compliance, specifically with rules or regulations.

observed the constraints

Highlights the active observation of constraints or limitations.

kept within the parameters

Focuses on operating within defined parameters or guidelines.

respected the boundaries

Implies a conscious respect for established limits or boundaries.

operated within the guidelines

Emphasizes conducting operations in accordance with specific guidelines.

conformed to the limitations

Highlights the act of conforming or adjusting to existing limitations.

abided by the rules

Focuses on adherence to rules and regulations.

exercised self-control

Shifts the focus to the internal control required to stay within limits, often implying a personal struggle.

FAQs

How can I use "stayed within limits" in a sentence?

You can use "stayed within limits" to describe adherence to rules, budgets, or physical boundaries. For example, "The project "stayed within limits" because of careful planning."

What does "stayed within limits" mean?

It means to remain or operate inside a specific set of restrictions, guidelines, or boundaries.

What can I say instead of "stayed within limits"?

Alternatives include "remained in bounds", "adhered to the restrictions", or "complied with the regulations". Each alternative emphasizes a slightly different aspect of adhering to constraints.

Is it better to say "stayed within the limit" or "stayed within limits"?

Use "stayed within the limit" when referring to a single, specific boundary. Use "stayed within limits" when referring to multiple or general restrictions.