grammar · academic

be confined to + noun / V-ing

/bi kənˈfaɪnd tu/be CON·fined to

Band 7+task1task2speaking

to be limited to a particular area, subject, or group

Examples

“This problem is not confined to urban areas.”

“The debate was confined to economic issues.”

“The role should not be confined to administrative tasks.”

Band 8 sentence

“The study's sample cannot be confined to university students if the results are to be generalised to the wider population.”

Collocations

  • confined to + urban/rural areas, a small group, a narrow field
  • not confined to + noun

Common mistakes

is confined in→is confined to

is confined on→is confined to

Say it for a higher band

5is confined in→6is limited to→7+is confined to

Synonyms

limited to

Easily confused

be limited to

“Access is limited to authorised personnel.”

Related words

had been + past participlebe + past participleto have been + past participlebe used to + Vbe + past participle + by + agentnoun + past participle (reduced relative clause)be seen as + noun / adjectivehave/has been + past participle

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