within the limits of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "within the limits of" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a certain degree or range. For example: He was creative within the limits of the law.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But again that's only true within the limits of reality.

The Guardian

But we tended to work within the limits of what was there.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

These were sensible suggestions wisely delivered within the limits of the court's remit.

The Guardian - Sport

Within the limits of these carefully hedged bets, the writers move deftly from fantasy to comedy.

The New York Times

Within the limits of her ability and ambition, she could go anywhere she wanted.

The Guardian - Books

Instead, I would advocate action within the limits of the law and current regulations.

The New York Times

That everyone should be entitled to such freedom within the limits of the law.

The Guardian - Opinion

Congress should insist that testing programs remain within the limits of the ABM treaty.

The New York Times

One is: everything we can give them, within the limits of basic decency and harm.

The New Yorker

MI5 happily takes no such political direction but operates within the limits of the 1989 Act.

The Guardian

Thus, all legal considerations are addressed and determined to be within the limits of the law.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "within the limits of" with measurable criteria whenever possible to provide more tangible insight (e.g., "within the limits of the budget" or "within the limits of the law").

Common error

Avoid using "within the limits of" without specifying what those limits are. For instance, instead of saying "operate within the limits of safety", specify "operate within the limits of established safety protocols" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within the limits of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by specifying a boundary, restriction, or constraint. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "within the limits of" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to denote boundaries, restrictions, or constraints. As Ludwig AI confirms, its widespread use across diverse fields such as news, science, and academia highlights its importance in specifying parameters. To ensure clarity, always explicitly define the limits being referenced. Alternatives like "within the bounds of" or "constrained by" can be used for semantic variety. By following the best practices and avoiding common errors, writers can effectively employ "within the limits of" to enhance the precision and accuracy of their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within the bounds of

Replaces "limits" with "bounds", emphasizing a boundary or restriction.

within the confines of

Substitutes "limits" with "confines", suggesting a more enclosed or restricted space.

subject to the constraints of

Uses a different structure, focusing on the idea of being subject to limitations.

constrained by

A more concise way of expressing limitations or restrictions.

restricted by

Emphasizes the act of being restricted, rather than the limits themselves.

limited by

Simple and direct synonym, focusing on the state of being limited.

inside the scope of

Changes the metaphor to one of scope or range, still indicating a boundary.

governed by

Shifts the focus to the rules or laws that impose the limits.

in accordance with

Implies adherence to specific rules or guidelines.

pursuant to

More formal synonym, primarily used in legal or official contexts.

FAQs

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

Use "within the limits of" to indicate boundaries or restrictions. For example, "The project must be completed "within the limits of the budget"."

What are some alternatives to "within the limits of"?

Alternatives include "within the bounds of", "constrained by", or "subject to" depending on the context.

Is "within the limits of" formal or informal?

"Within the limits of" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

How does "within the limits of" compare to "subject to"?

"Within the limits of" emphasizes the boundaries themselves, while "subject to" highlights the controlling influence. For instance, "actions "within the limits of the law"" focuses on legal boundaries, and "actions subject to legal review" focuses on the controlling influence of legal review.