What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
curtailing
Example
The company is curtailing its expenses by reducing employee benefits. [curtailing: present participle]
Example
The government is curtailing public gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus. [curtailing: gerund]
restrict
Example
The school restricts access to certain websites on its computers. [restricts: verb]
Example
The new law restricts the use of plastic bags in grocery stores. [restricts: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Restrict is more commonly used than curtail in everyday language. Restrict is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while curtail is less common and more specific to financial or resource management contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between curtailing and restrict?
Both curtail and restrict are formal words that are appropriate for use in professional or academic writing. However, restrict may be slightly more formal due to its association with legal or regulatory contexts.