within acceptable limits

USAGE SUMMARY

"within acceptable limits" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to parameters that are within a range that is deemed suitable or satisfactory. For example: "The temperature of the room must be maintained within acceptable limits."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Officials deemed this to be within acceptable limits.

The Economist

And the dynamic control is kept within acceptable limits.

Chemical Engineering Research and Design

Designed controller kept the submarine performance within acceptable limits.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

One of May's five pledges was to keep campaigning within "acceptable limits of political debate".

The Guardian

When considered over all, Mr. Blair's correction rate at The Times was within acceptable limits.

The New York Times

To keep the perturbing fields within acceptable limits imposes another stringent condition.

Nature

You dissent because within acceptable limits you can still go along with the majority.

The New York Times

Any resulting death and destruction, as well as regional blowback, will be within acceptable limits.

The New York Times

The exposure time must therefore be short enough to keep the blur within acceptable limits.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An out-of-straightness assessment was first conducted to ensure that eccentricities were within acceptable limits.

Composites Part B: Engineering

The colour and water vapour permeability changes were ranged within acceptable limits.

Construction and Building Materials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing tolerance ranges in technical documents, clearly define what constitutes the "acceptable limits". Always specify the metric and range (e.g., "Temperature must remain within acceptable limits: 20-25 degrees Celsius").

Common error

Avoid using "within acceptable limits" without specifying what those limits are. This can lead to misinterpretation and inconsistent application of the criteria. Always provide quantifiable boundaries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within acceptable limits" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. According to Ludwig, it indicates that a certain parameter or result falls inside a predefined range considered satisfactory.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

24%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "within acceptable limits" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something falls within a satisfactory or permissible range. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used across diverse contexts, notably in scientific, news, and encyclopedic sources. The phrase communicates that standards or expectations are met, assuring the audience of its suitability. Related phrases include "within tolerable limits", "within permissible limits", and "within reasonable limits". When using the phrase, ensure the acceptable limits are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within tolerable limits

Replaces "acceptable" with "tolerable", emphasizing the capacity to endure something without adverse effects.

within admissible limits

Substitutes "acceptable" with "admissible", focusing on whether something is allowed or permissible.

within permissible limits

Replaces "acceptable" with "permissible", highlighting what is allowed by rules or laws.

within allowable limits

Substitutes "acceptable" with "allowable", stressing that something is permitted.

within reasonable limits

Changes "acceptable" to "reasonable", underlining that something is fair and sensible.

within manageable limits

Replaces "acceptable" with "manageable", emphasizing the ease with which something can be controlled or handled.

within acceptable bounds

Uses "bounds" instead of "limits", suggesting a defined area or scope.

within bearable limits

Substitutes "acceptable" with "bearable", referring to the capability of being endured.

within agreeable limits

Replaces "acceptable" with "agreeable", focusing on what is pleasing or satisfactory.

within normal limits

Changes "acceptable" to "normal", indicating what is typical or usual.

FAQs

How can I use "within acceptable limits" in a sentence?

The phrase "within acceptable limits" is used to indicate that something falls within a range that is considered satisfactory or permissible. For example: "The noise level was maintained "within acceptable limits"."

What are some alternatives to saying "within acceptable limits"?

You can use alternatives like "within tolerable limits", "within permissible limits", or "within reasonable limits" depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when something is "within acceptable limits"?

It means that the value, amount, or degree of something is within a range considered satisfactory, permissible, or normal. It suggests that the item or measurement meets the required standards or expectations.

Is it more appropriate to use "within acceptable limits" or "within normal limits"?

The choice between "within acceptable limits" and "within normal limits" depends on the context. "Acceptable limits" implies adherence to pre-defined standards, while "normal limits" suggests conformity to typical or expected values. Use "acceptable" when there are specific requirements to meet.