to curb the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to curb the" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of limiting, controlling, or reducing something, often in the context of negative behaviors or issues. Example: "The government implemented new policies to curb the rising rates of pollution in urban areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No bosses around to curb the candor.

The New York Times

More must also be done to curb the virus's spread.

The Economist

This should make it easier to curb the pay-offs.

The Economist

Next: Trying to curb the damage in Delhi's National Archives.

The New York Times

Government officials plot extraordinary interventions to curb the free fall.

The New York Times

The appointment did nothing to curb the professor's tongue.

The Economist

Tells of steps taken to curb the disease.

The New Yorker

There's a vote to curb the mine expansion.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Publicly, they did not act to curb the excesses.

The New York Times

Mere awareness won't be enough to curb the epidemic.

The New York Times

McMaster's efforts did little to curb the endemic graft.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to curb the" when you want to emphasize a deliberate effort to restrain or control something negative, such as "to curb the" spread of misinformation or "to curb the" rise in crime.

Common error

Avoid using "to curb the" in very informal or casual writing. Simpler alternatives like "to stop" or "to reduce" may be more appropriate in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to curb the" functions as an infinitive of purpose, typically followed by a noun. It introduces the reason or intention behind an action, which is to limit or control something. As Ludwig AI points out, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to curb the" is a grammatically correct and very common construction used to express the intention to limit or control something negative. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business writing. While it's generally neutral to formal, simpler alternatives may be better suited for informal situations. When aiming to convey a deliberate effort to restrain or control an undesirable element, "to curb the" remains a reliable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to restrict the

Focuses on setting limits or boundaries.

to limit the

Emphasizes setting a maximum or a boundary.

to reduce the

Highlights decreasing the quantity or intensity of something.

to control the

Implies a direct influence and regulation.

to diminish the

Focuses on lessening or weakening something.

to suppress the

Suggests forceful prevention or stopping of something.

to restrain the

Implies holding something back or keeping it in check.

to mitigate the

Focuses on alleviating the severity of something.

to check the

Suggests halting or slowing the progress of something.

to regulate the

Emphasizes establishing rules or systems to govern something.

FAQs

How can I use "to curb the" in a sentence?

Use "to curb the" when you want to express the action of limiting or controlling something undesirable. For example: "The new regulations are intended to curb the pollution".

What are some alternatives to "to curb the"?

You can use alternatives like "to restrict the", "to limit the", or "to reduce the" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "curb" or "reduce"?

While both words imply a decrease, "curb" suggests a restraining or controlling action, often against something negative. "Reduce" simply means to lessen in size or amount. Choose "to curb the" when you want to highlight the act of actively controlling something unwanted.

What is the difference between "to curb the" and "to suppress the"?

"To curb the" implies a degree of control or limitation, whereas "to suppress the" suggests a more forceful and complete stopping of something. The choice depends on the desired level of control and the intensity of the action.