to a limit of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to a limit of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when specifying a maximum amount or extent of something. Example: "The budget for the project is set to a limit of $50,000."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

WPA's shared responsibility plan leaves the patient to pick up 25 per cent of any claim, up to a limit of between £500 and £5,000 a year.

Independent

Finally, we demonstrate a simple method, with limited sample processing, for the ultrasensitive detection of cocaine in saliva to a limit of detection of 100 ppb.

Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical

MATH 1300 (Mathematical Explorations) — Arts & Sciences students may pre-enroll through Student Center up to a limit of 24 students.

Cornell University

Students may pre-enroll in MATH 3040 through Student Center up to a limit of 30 students.

Cornell University

Arts & Sciences students may pre-enroll in MATH 1300 through Student Center up to a limit of 30 students.

Cornell University

Students may pre-enroll in MATH 4710 through Student Center up to a limit of 70 students.

Cornell University

So, for example, in Greece abortions can be carried out on demand up to a limit of 12 weeks.

The Guardian

The proposal would set an overall cap equivalent to a limit of 3.2 million tons in 2015.

The New York Times

Above that, the government picks up nine-tenths of the costs, to a limit of $100 billion.

The Economist

The signal-to-noise ratio of this system corresponds to a limit of detection of 168 M (24 ng/ml).

Photonics and Nanostructures - Fundamentals and Applications

Any button press on this screen after 100 presses will results in no action, due to a limit of 100 waypoints allowed on the MCU at time.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to a limit of", ensure the context clearly defines what is being limited and why. This prevents ambiguity and ensures the intended restriction is understood.

Common error

Avoid redundancy by not restating the unit of measurement. For example, instead of "to a limit of 100 kilograms in weight", simply state "to a limit of 100 kilograms".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to a limit of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, specifying an upper boundary or maximum extent. This is evident in examples where it restricts quantities, amounts, or durations. As per Ludwig, this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

32%

News & Media

39%

Science

29%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to a limit of" correctly and effectively sets an upper boundary or maximum extent, as validated by Ludwig. It is commonly used in academic, news, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what is being limited to prevent ambiguity, and avoid redundant specifications. Alternatives like "up to" and "not exceeding" can be used for conciseness, depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

up to

Indicates a maximum extent or degree, similar to "to a limit of" but more concise.

limited to

Directly indicates a restriction to a certain amount or degree.

restricted to

Similar to 'limited to', indicating a confined or bounded amount.

not exceeding

Formally specifies that something does not surpass a certain value.

no more than

Emphasizes that something does not exceed a specified value.

at most

Indicates the highest possible quantity or degree.

not beyond

States that something cannot go past a specified limit.

capped at

Implies an official or enforced maximum value.

with a maximum of

Explicitly states the presence of an upper bound.

subject to a ceiling of

Highlights a formal or regulatory upper limit.

FAQs

How can I use "to a limit of" in a sentence?

Use "to a limit of" to specify the maximum extent or amount allowed. For example, "The funding for this project is set "to a limit of" $10,000."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "to a limit of"?

You can use alternatives like "up to", "not exceeding", or "capped at" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "up to a limit of" instead of "to a limit of"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "up to a limit of" can be slightly redundant. "To a limit of" is generally more concise and preferred.

What's the difference between "to a limit of" and "limited to"?

"To a limit of" specifies a maximum quantity or extent, while "limited to" indicates a restriction or confinement. For example, "access is limited to authorized personnel" versus "spending is to a limit of $500".