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Prepositions with nouns

“Off limit” or “without limit”

“Without limit” is a standard phrase meaning unrestricted. The usual adjective expression is “off limits,” not “off limit.”

Quick answer

Quick answer

Use “without limit” to mean unlimited. Use “off limits” to mean forbidden or inaccessible. “Off limit” without the final “s” is generally nonstandard.

Spending continued without limit
The laboratory is off limits to visitors

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
without limit

Expressing no restriction

Use this phrase for quantity, freedom, or extent with no fixed boundary.

The data can expand without limit
2
off limits

Describing restricted access

“Off limits” is a fixed adjective phrase meaning forbidden.

The roof is off limits during repairs
3
limit on + noun

Setting a restriction

Use “limit on” to describe a restriction affecting something.

There is a strict limit on parking

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
off limit
The phrase “off limit” is usually considered nonstandard.
Standard English uses “off limits.”
without limit
The account allows transfers without limit.
No restriction or boundary.
off limits
That area is off limits after dark.
Forbidden or restricted.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Dropping the final “s”

The fixed expression is “off limits.”

✕ The area is off limit. ✓ The area is off limits.

Using “without limit” for forbidden places

“Without limit” means unrestricted, not prohibited.

✕ The archive is without limit. ✓ The archive is off limits.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The basement is ___ to staff.
2. The software can scale ___.
3. Which form is standard English?

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Frequently asked questions

Is “off limit” ever correct?

In current standard English, “off limits” is strongly preferred.

What does “without limit” mean?

It means unrestricted or unlimited.

Can “limits” be singular?

Yes in other contexts, such as “a speed limit,” but the fixed phrase is “off limits.”

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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