within the bounds of

USAGE SUMMARY

"within the bounds of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to indicate that something is confined (or expected to be confined) within certain limits or restrictions. For example, "She had to work within the bounds of her budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

GAINES: Only within the bounds of good taste.

The New Yorker

"We're working within the bounds of the situation.

The New York Times

Everything so far fully within the bounds of planned logistics.

The New Yorker

This isn't "magical realism": it's all within the bounds of earthly possibility, if not within the bounds of credibility.

The Guardian - Books

That's well within the bounds of historic experience.

Independent

" 'Within the bounds of the law' -- what does that mean?" Ms. Smith said.

The New York Times

Temperature increases were said to be within the bounds of natural climate variability.

The Guardian

And no subject is off-limits, within the bounds of good taste.

The New York Times

Mr. Hevesi's advertisement, like it or not, fell within the bounds of normal political discourse.

The New York Times

Some of these practices are illegal; others are within the bounds of the law.

The New York Times - Magazine

Geologists dismiss the dowsers as charlatans with success rates well within the bounds of chance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and formality required. While broadly applicable, it's most suitable for formal or neutral contexts such as legal, academic, or professional writing.

Common error

Avoid using "within the bounds of" without specifying what those bounds actually are. For example, saying "We acted within the bounds of policy" is less effective than "We acted within the bounds of the company's privacy policy outlined in section 3.2".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within the bounds of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating that an action or state is limited or constrained by specified boundaries, rules, or conditions. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "within the bounds of" is a prepositional phrase indicating adherence to specified limits or restrictions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. To ensure clarity, specify the boundaries being referenced and maintain a formal or neutral tone. Avoid vagueness by clearly defining what those bounds entail. Consider alternatives like "within the limits of" or "subject to" for less formal situations. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately convey the idea of operating within defined constraints.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within the confines of

Emphasizes being enclosed or limited by something.

within the limits of

Focuses on the maximum extent or degree allowed.

subject to

Highlights dependence on certain conditions or rules.

constrained by

Stresses the restrictive nature of certain factors.

limited by

Indicates that something is restricted in scope or amount.

under the purview of

Implies authority or control within a specific area.

in accordance with

Focuses on acting in compliance with rules or standards.

pursuant to

A more formal way of saying 'in accordance with'.

governed by

Highlights the influence and control of rules or principles.

bound by

Emphasizes an obligation to adhere to certain rules or principles.

FAQs

How can I use "within the bounds of" in a sentence?

Use "within the bounds of" to indicate that an action or situation is limited by certain rules, laws, or constraints. For instance, "The research was conducted "within the bounds of ethical guidelines"".

What's a less formal way to say "within the bounds of"?

If you need a less formal alternative, consider phrases like "within the limits of", "subject to", or "constrained by", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "inside the bounds of" instead of "within the bounds of"?

While "inside" and "within" can be synonymous in some contexts, "within the bounds of" is the more established and idiomatic phrase for expressing limitations or constraints. "Inside the bounds of" is less common.

How does "within the bounds of" differ from "beyond the bounds of"?

"Within the bounds of" indicates adherence to certain limitations, whereas "beyond the bounds of" signifies exceeding or violating those limitations. For example, "His actions were "within the bounds of the law"", but "Her behavior was "beyond the bounds of acceptable conduct"".