The limitation of the time didn't allow him to consider the new ..

Question

HiCould you please tell me if the use of limitation is natural here?The limitation of the time didn't allow him to consider the new job offer.Thanks,Tom

Avangi · Accepted Answer

The limitation of the time didn't allow him to consider the new job offer.

It's quite possible, but not natural, in my opinion.

** "Limitations of time" without the article is a very common collocation. (Actually, without either article!)

Perhaps more common/casual would be "The time factor kept him from considering the new job offer."

Your expression seems more common with the sentence order reversed:
He wasn't allowed to consider the new job offer because of the limitation of time.
This seems to work better, according to my ear. (Use the article with "limitation" but not with "time.")

[The] time was too short/limited for him to consider the new job offer.
In this case, "time" works equally well with or without the article.

Well, I'm embarrassed again!

Google hits:

limitation of time 2,910,000
limitation of the time 44,000,000

limitations of time 2,790,000 **

limitations of the time 73,100,000

Of course we all know that this proves nothing!

Hopefully, someone will come along who finds your original sentence perfectly natural!

The limitation of the time didn't allow him to consider the new ..

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