Meaning
- Limitation (noun) refers to a restriction, boundary, or shortcoming that prevents something from being fully effective or unlimited.
- It can describe both rules that restrict actions and personal weaknesses or shortcomings.
Grammar and Usage
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Part of speech: noun
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Countable/uncountable: Can be countable (“a limitation”) or uncountable (“limitation in general”).
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Typical structures:
- limitation on + noun/verb-ing → restriction imposed on something.
- impose/place/put a limitation → to set a restriction.
- have/face/recognize a limitation → to acknowledge shortcomings.
Common Phrases
- limitation period – the legally fixed period for bringing a claim.
- limitations of liability – restrictions on legal responsibility.
- without limitation – without any restriction.
- beyond limitations – surpassing boundaries or restrictions.
Collocations
- Verb + limitation: impose limitations, place limitations, face limitations, recognize limitations.
- Adjective + limitation: serious limitation, major limitation, strict limitation, natural limitation.
- Preposition + limitation: limitation on resources, limitation of freedom, limitation in technology.
Examples
- There are strict limitations on how much money you can withdraw each day.
- One of the biggest limitations of this study is the small sample size.
- The teacher encouraged students to recognize their own limitations.
- Due to budget limitations, the project could not be expanded further.
- Athletes often push their bodies beyond normal limitations.
- The contract included a limitation of liability clause.
- Time is the greatest limitation in preparing for the exam.
- The new software removes many of the previous system’s limitations.
Synonyms or Related
- Restriction
- Constraint
- Barrier
- Bound
- Drawback
- Shortcoming