These are all words for sth that limits what you can do or what can happen. 以上各词均表示限制或限定。

• limit the greatest or smallest amount of sth that is allowed 指极限、限量、限额：◆The EU has set strict limits on pollution levels. 欧盟对污染程度作了严格的限定。◆the speed limit 速度限制
• restriction (rather formal) a rule or law that limits what you can do 指限制规定、限制法规：◆There are no restrictions on the amount of money you can withdraw. 取款没有限额。
• control (often in compounds) the act of limiting or managing sth; a method of doing this （常构成复合词）指限制、约束、管理、管制：◆arms control 军备控制
• constraint (rather formal) a fact or decision that limits what you can do 指限制、限定、约束：◆We have to work within severe constraints of time and money. 我们必须在时间紧迫、资金紧张的限制下工作。
• restraint (rather formal) a decision, a rule, an idea, etc. that limits what you can do; the act of limiting sth because it is necessary or sensible to do so 指约束力、管制措施、制约因素、控制、限制：◆The government has imposed export restraints on some products. 政府对一些产品实行了出口控制。◆The unions are unlikely to accept any sort of wage restraint. 工会不大可能接受任何形式的工资限制。
• limitation the act or process of limiting sth; a rule, fact or condition that limits sth 指限制、控制、起限制作用的规则、事实或条件：◆They would resist any limitation of their powers. 他们会抵制对他们权力的任何限制。

restriction, constraint, restraint or limitation? 用 restriction、constraint、restraint 还是 limitation？

• These are all things that limit what you can do. A restriction is rule or law that is made by sb in authority. A constraint is sth that exists rather than sth that is made, although it may exist as a result of sb's decision. A restraint is also sth that exists: it can exist outside yourself, as the result of sb else's decision; but it can also exist inside you, as a fear of what other people may think or as your own feeling about what is acceptable. 以上各词均表示限制规定。restriction 指掌权者所作的规定或法规。constraint 指现存的限制或约束而非作出的决定，尽管这种约束也可能是因他人的决定而存在。restraint 亦指现存的限制或制约因素，既可能指自身以外的因素，如他人的决定；也可能指自身因素，如担心别人的想法或顾虑自己的做法能否被接受：◆moral/social/cultural restraints 道德/社会/文化制约因素A limitation is more general and can be a rule that sb makes or a fact or condition that exists. * limitation 较通用，可指人为的规定，也可指客观存在的构成限制的事实或条件。

Patterns

• limits/restrictions/controls/constraints/restraints/limitations on sth
• limits/limitations to sth
• severe limits/restrictions/controls/constraints/restraints/limitations
• tight limits/restrictions/controls/constraints
• to impose/remove limits/restrictions/controls/constraints/restraints/limitations
• to lift restrictions/controls/constraints/restraints