was limited only to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was limited only to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was restricted or confined to a specific scope or range. Example: "The study was limited only to participants aged 18 to 25."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But the court cut off Mr. Gore's ability to make this argument by insisting that its holding was limited only to the case before it.

The New York Times

Here the court plays a fun trick: Since Team Coleman spent so much time citing Bush v. Gore, the court quotes that (in famous decision's declaration that it was limited only to that case.

The Guardian - Opinion

Usada had been informed about the injury but its role was limited only to testing the fighters for banned substances in training and on the night of the bout.

The Guardian - Sport

Such mandate was limited only to private universities (Kuhanga 2006).

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

Cellular infiltration was limited only to the periphery of graft.

Progress in Biomaterials

The second species was limited only to Orchid Island and was considered rare.

Botanical Studies

Suffrage then was limited only to men, the wealthy, educated, and adults who were 21 years of age or older.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

In three out of nine (33%) false negative cases pulmonary examination was limited only to the anterior-lateral areas.

Critical Ultrasound Journal

Similarly, in the present work, study on OsMKK4 was limited only to expression analysis and OsMKK4 albeit showed higher expression upon UV elicitation.

Rice

This sample was limited only to patients from the Malay race because there was no report of migraine patients from other races (Chinese, Indian and Siamese).

The Journal of Headache and Pain

We have to consider that in 8% of patients, pulmonary ultrasound examination was limited only to the anterior-lateral areas and that 33% of all false negative cases belong to this group.

Critical Ultrasound Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was limited only to", ensure the context clearly defines what the limitations are. Being specific enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was limited only to" when the actual scope is broader than stated. This can mislead readers and weaken your argument. Ensure your stated limitations accurately reflect the true scope.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was limited only to" functions as a restrictive modifier, specifying the scope or extent to which something applies. It indicates a clear boundary, as Ludwig AI indicates, defining what is included and, by implication, what is excluded.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

28%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was limited only to" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that serves as a restrictive modifier, clearly defining the scope or boundaries of a subject. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its function is to precisely specify what is included within a certain context, making it valuable across scientific, news, and business communications. While alternatives exist, such as "was restricted solely to", ensure the chosen phrase aligns with the intended level of formality and emphasis. Proper usage involves clearly stating the limitations to avoid ambiguity and prevent misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was restricted solely to

Replaces "only" with "solely", emphasizing exclusivity more strongly.

was confined exclusively to

Uses "confined" instead of "limited", suggesting a stricter boundary.

was solely restricted to

Emphasizes exclusivity by placing "solely" before "restricted."

was exclusively limited to

Reorders the adverbs to emphasize the exclusivity of the limitation.

was strictly limited to

Emphasizes adherence to a limit without deviation.

was uniquely limited to

Suggests that this limitation is special or not generally applied.

was expressly limited to

Implies a clearly stated or defined restriction.

was particularly limited to

Highlights that a restriction is especially applicable.

was intentionally limited to

Indicates that the limitation was deliberately put in place.

was specifically limited to

Focuses on the precise and detailed nature of the restriction.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was limited only to" for variety?

You can use alternatives like "was restricted solely to", "was confined exclusively to", or "was strictly limited to" to add nuance to your writing.

What does "was limited only to" imply in a research context?

In research, "was limited only to" indicates the specific boundaries of a study, such as sample size, geographical location, or data types. It signals the scope within which the findings are applicable.

Is it better to use "was limited only to" or "was restricted only to"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "was restricted only to" might suggest a more formal or controlled limitation, while "was limited only to" is more general. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

How does the choice of verb affect the meaning of "was limited only to"?

Using verbs like "confined", "restricted", or "expressly limited" in place of "limited" can subtly shift the meaning. "Confined" suggests containment, "restricted" indicates a rule-based limitation, and "expressly limited" implies a clear, stated boundary.