transgress the limit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "transgress the limit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions that go beyond established boundaries or rules. Example: "The artist's work often transgresses the limit of conventional norms, challenging viewers to rethink their perceptions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

And yet for Leibowitz, even this would transgress the limits to which the notion of radical transcendence binds us.

SEP

Or, if it be alleged that these may transgress the limits of possible life and propagation, we might, at least, have nations of human beings without nails upon their fingers, with more or fewer fingers and toes than ten, some with one eye, others with one ear, with one nostril, or without the sense of smelling at all.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

When scientists act as experts, Nowotny [24] argues, they need to answer to questions they did not chose and therefore transgress the limits of their competence, by addressing issues that cannot be reduced to the purely scientific or technical, and by addressing a mixed audience, not only composed of fellow-experts.

European Journal of Futures Research

It is through the reaction of this collective body that we experience the hope of victory, the dread of defeat and finally the realization of a divine law that those tempted to transgress the limits of what is humanly permissible will be punished.

Los Angeles Times

But we must make sure that they do not transgress the limits set by Allah in the Quran.

WikiHow

The allegations were that "some scholars of arts at Paris" (nonnulli Parisius studentes in artibus) had been transgressing the limits of their own faculty (proprie facultatis limites excedentes).

SEP

In this respect, the oft-quoted statement from Tempier's introductory letter that members of the arts faculty were transgressing the limits of their own faculty (propriae facultatis limites excedentes) could acquire new meaning.

SEP

Ms. Sánchez, taking a jab at Ms. Díaz's ties to the government, called her the "official Cuban blogger" and wrote that "Elaine Díaz has transgressed the limits of criticism permissible" for an employee of the state.

The New York Times

Elaine Diaz has transgressed the limits of criticism permissible to anyone working in the official media or in an academic center in Cuba.

Huffington Post

Walsingham replied with a discourse on the topic that "young princes were many times carried into great errors upon an opinion of the absoluteness of their royal authority and do not consider, that when they transgress the bounds and limits of the law, they leave to be kings and become tyrants".

Wikipedia

"These novelists, who are often educated in European or American universities, don't transgress anything because the limits which they have determined as being necessary to cross don't exist".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "transgress the limit" when you want to convey a formal or somewhat literary tone when discussing exceeding a boundary or rule. Ensure the context supports this level of formality.

Common error

Avoid using "transgress the limit" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound stilted or pretentious. Opt for more common phrases like "cross the line" or "go too far" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "transgress the limit" functions as a verb phrase, where "transgress" is a transitive verb and "the limit" is its direct object. It indicates an action that oversteps or violates a boundary. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "transgress the limit" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of exceeding or violating a boundary. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It carries a formal tone and is best suited for academic, scientific, or formal writing. While technically sound, it's essential to consider the context to ensure its appropriateness, as overuse in informal settings may sound unnatural. When a less formal tone is required, alternatives such as "exceed the boundary" or "cross the line" may be more suitable. Since there are no exact matches in the provided sources, its usage frequency is currently categorized as missing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceed the boundary

This alternative directly replaces "transgress" with "exceed", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

overstep the mark

This alternative uses a more idiomatic expression to convey exceeding acceptable bounds.

cross the line

This is a more common and informal way of saying that a boundary has been violated.

breach the limit

This alternative provides a more formal and forceful way to describe the violation of a limit.

surpass the boundary

This phrase emphasizes going beyond a defined limit.

violate the restriction

This alternative places emphasis on the rule or restriction being broken.

infringe upon the limit

This suggests a more subtle or gradual crossing of the boundary.

go beyond the pale

This idiom implies that something is highly inappropriate or unacceptable.

defy the limitation

This option suggests a deliberate and bold act of going against a limit.

disregard the constraint

This emphasizes the act of ignoring or not paying attention to a constraint.

FAQs

How can I use "transgress the limit" in a sentence?

You can use "transgress the limit" to describe actions that exceed established boundaries or rules, often in a formal or abstract context. For example, "The artist's work often transgresses the limit of conventional norms."

What are some alternatives to "transgress the limit"?

Alternatives include "exceed the boundary", "overstep the mark", or "cross the line", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "transgress the limit"?

It's best to use "transgress the limit" in formal writing, academic discussions, or when discussing abstract concepts where exceeding a boundary has significant implications. Avoid in casual conversation.

Is "transgress the limit" the same as "cross the line"?

While both phrases describe exceeding a boundary, "transgress the limit" is more formal and implies a more significant or deliberate violation than "cross the line", which is more common in everyday language.