within certain bounds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "within certain bounds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is limited or restricted to specific parameters or conditions. Example: "The experiment was conducted within certain bounds to ensure accurate and reliable results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Akademgorodok became a haven for academics who questioned the Soviet system, within certain bounds.

The New York Times

In religious art, variety and experimentation were the names of the game, within certain bounds.

The New York Times - Arts

They can be adjusted, within certain bounds, to optimize system throughput.

Stanford University

At the time of the Framing, "limited" meant what it means today: confined within certain bounds, restrained, or circumscribed.

Harvard University

It is shown that the addition of the masses has the effect of reducing the eigenvalues within certain bounds.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

And as long as those friends remained there for him, and he stayed within certain bounds, the three power centers couldn't touch him.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Both phases are responsible for maintaining the nodal degree within certain configurable bounds.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The camera sensor can only map irradiance values that are within certain minimum and maximum bounds (these bounds determine the tonal range of the sensor) and values that are outside this range are clipped.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

That means that as long as you stay within certain moral and legal bounds (and have another way to the office in case you're thin-skinned), you can talk to anyone you like on the subway.

The New York Times

The linearised expressions may indeed be approximates of the original, but if the values obtained are close estimates or within certain acceptable limits or bounds, the solutions provided by the new problem can be useful and meaningful, even though suboptimal.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Random mutation has also been proposed, in which a gene is replaced with a random value within certain lower and upper bounds, and may provide interesting insight into the mechanisms of mutation, since a small mutation in nature may cause a gene to take on a vastly different role.

F1000Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "within certain bounds", clearly define what those bounds are to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The project's budget is flexible, but it must remain within certain bounds: no more than 10% over the initial estimate."

Common error

Avoid using "within certain bounds" without specifying what those bounds are. This can lead to misinterpretation and uncertainty. Instead of saying, "Creativity is encouraged within certain bounds", be specific: "Creativity is encouraged, but it must align with the company's brand guidelines and legal standards."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within certain bounds" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating a condition or restriction under which an action or state is permissible. Ludwig examples show it defining the scope of acceptable behavior or parameters.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

36%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "within certain bounds" is a useful tool for indicating that something is subject to limitations or restrictions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various fields like science, news, and academia. To use it effectively, ensure that the bounds are clearly defined, either explicitly or implicitly, to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "within defined limits" or "subject to limitations" exist, "within certain bounds" offers a versatile option suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within defined limits

Uses "limits" instead of "bounds" to express the restriction.

subject to limitations

Emphasizes the presence of limitations affecting something.

under specific constraints

Highlights the role of constraints in defining the scope.

confined by parameters

Indicates the influence of defined parameters.

bounded by specifications

Uses "specifications" to define the set limits.

limited by conditions

Stresses the role of conditions as restrictive factors.

restricted by guidelines

Highlights that guidelines define the boundaries.

governed by restrictions

Emphasizes the role of restrictions as controlling factors.

circumscribed by rules

Indicates that rules determine the limits.

subject to qualifications

Highlights that qualifications act as restrictive factors.

FAQs

How can I use "within certain bounds" in a sentence?

You can use "within certain bounds" to indicate that something is limited or restricted to specific parameters. For example, "The experiment was conducted "within certain bounds" to ensure accurate results".

What's a more formal way to say "within certain bounds"?

More formal alternatives include "within defined limits", "subject to specific constraints", or "confined by parameters", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "limits" or "bounds" in the phrase "within certain limits/bounds"?

Both "limits" and "bounds" are acceptable and largely interchangeable in this context. The choice depends on stylistic preference, but "within certain limits" might sound slightly more common in everyday conversation.

What does "within certain bounds" imply?

It implies that there are established limits or restrictions that must be adhered to. This could relate to physical boundaries, budgetary constraints, ethical considerations, or any other form of limitation relevant to the context.