substantial limitations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial limitations" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe something that significantly restricts or hinders a situation or individual. Example: "The patient's chronic illness presented substantial limitations in their ability to perform daily activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Current pharmacovigilance systems still have substantial limitations, however.

Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association

Respondents evinced strong support for substantial limitations on the retention of wireless phone usage data.

University of California, Berkeley

I was afraid of a shortened life with possible substantial limitations.

The New York Times

But for short RNA targets, in the range of 18 24 nucleotides, DNA-based capture and detection has substantial limitations.

Nature

In 1865 he won a great personal triumph in convincing parliament to put substantial limitations on capital punishment.

Britannica

The two techniques perform comparably well, yet they both have substantial limitations.

Optics Communications

In return for "substantial limitations which have materially slowed down the Iranian nuclear program," the six powers that negotiated the J.C.P.O.A. afforded sanctions relief.

The New Yorker

The review also highlights substantial limitations with this body of research, and more advanced research designs are warranted.

Journal of Adolescent Health

The interpreter is a general problem solver, but has substantial limitations on the scale and type of problems it can solve.

University of California, Berkeley

Courts therefore have placed substantial limitations on the class of plaintiffs that may recover for emotional injuries and on the injuries that may be compensable.

Cornell University

In Toyota Motor Manufacturing Inc. v. Williams, No. 00-1089, the court ruled unanimously that to qualify as disabled, a person must have substantial limitations on abilities that are "central to daily life," not only to life in the workplace.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial limitations", clearly state what these limitations are and their impact to provide context and clarity to your audience.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the severity of "substantial limitations". Ensure your assessment is based on factual evidence to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial limitations" typically functions as a descriptive element, highlighting significant restrictions, shortcomings, or deficiencies. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and common expression in English. The phrase modifies a noun, indicating that the noun has significant constraints.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

19%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "substantial limitations" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression in English to denote significant restrictions or shortcomings. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various domains, including science, news, and academia, with a predominantly neutral to formal tone. The analysis reveals that while the phrase is versatile, clarity and context are crucial for effective communication. Understanding the potential for overstatement and clearly articulating the specific limitations ensures accurate and credible writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant constraints

Replaces "substantial limitations" with synonyms, maintaining the emphasis on restriction.

considerable drawbacks

Uses "drawbacks" to highlight the negative aspects of the limitations.

major shortcomings

Emphasizes the deficiencies or flaws that the limitations represent.

notable restrictions

Highlights the restrictions as being worthy of attention.

significant deficiencies

Focuses on the lack of something important, using a more formal term.

marked inadequacies

Uses "inadequacies" to suggest that something falls short of what is required.

appreciable constraints

Similar to "significant constraints" but with a slightly different nuance.

serious impediments

Suggests the limitations act as obstacles that hinder progress.

pronounced limitations

Emphasizes the obvious or easily noticeable nature of the limitations.

severe restrictions

Highlights the intensity or strictness of the limitations.

FAQs

How can I use "substantial limitations" in a sentence?

You can use "substantial limitations" to describe significant restrictions or shortcomings. For example, "The research has "substantial limitations" due to the small sample size."

What are some alternatives to saying "substantial limitations"?

Alternatives include "significant constraints", "considerable drawbacks", or "major shortcomings", depending on the specific context.

Which is more appropriate, "substantial limitations" or "minor limitations"?

The choice depends on the magnitude of the limitations. Use "substantial limitations" when the restrictions are significant and have a considerable impact. Otherwise, "minor limitations" is more appropriate.

What's the difference between "substantial limitations" and "inherent limitations"?

"Substantial limitations" refers to significant restrictions, while "inherent limitations" suggests that the limitations are a natural or essential part of something.