a comfortable surplus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a comfortable surplus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is an excess of resources or funds that provides a sense of security or ease. Example: "After years of saving, we finally have a comfortable surplus in our budget, allowing us to invest in new projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Including measures announced in his pre-budget report, Mr Brown was able to give away £8 billion ($12 billion) in the fiscal year ahead while still forecasting a comfortable surplus.

The Economist

In his last term, Dr. Dean won a change in law so that Vermont taxes were not automatically lowered by Mr. Bush's cut in federal income taxes, and Vermont had a comfortable surplus this spring when most other states faced crippling budget shortfalls.

The New York Times

We have to close this era's "Lippmann gap," named for Walter Lippmann, the leading foreign policy journalist of his day, who almost 60 years ago established the need for foreign policy "solvency", defined as "bringing into balance, with a comfortable surplus of power in reserve, the nation's commitments and the nation's power".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

WITH sky-high approval ratings and a comfortable budget surplus, Argentina's president, Néstor Kirchner, can usually expect to get what he wants.

The Economist

They have turned a comfortable budget surplus into a constraining deficit, and they are enriching the wealthy far more than families with only five-figure incomes.

The New York Times

If there is one state for the others to envy, it is North Dakota, with the lowest unemployment rate in the nation — 3.8 percent, amid a labor shortage — and a comfortable cash surplus, thanks in part to a growing petroleum industry.

The New York Times

As it is no longer paying its private creditors, Argentina now has a comfortable budget surplus that means that at least for now, the government can afford expansive economic policies without asking for new loans.

The New York Times

In the last four years, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker cut taxes by close to $2 billion dollars and the Badger State now enjoys a comfortable $912 million budget surplus.

Forbes

Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy and enjoys a comfortable balance of payments surplus, but depends on imports of raw materials for the manufacturing sector.

Forbes

Currently the U.S. has a comfortable supply of electric power a surplus that is leading energy companies to cancel some of their planned power-producing projects.

Forbes

But a comfortable death.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a comfortable surplus", ensure the context clearly establishes what the surplus refers to (e.g., budget, trade, resources) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a comfortable surplus" without specifying whether you are talking about cash, budget, or resources. This may lead to confusion among readers who may not immediately understand the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a comfortable surplus" functions as a noun phrase, where "comfortable" is an adjective modifying the noun "surplus". Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. It's used to describe a state of having more than enough of something, typically in financial contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a comfortable surplus" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a situation where there are more than enough resources, particularly in financial contexts. It's commonly found in news and media, referring to budgets and financial stability. While not extremely common, with only a few exact examples provided by Ludwig, the phrase is readily understood and suitable for professional and neutral communication. Be sure to specify to what the surplus refers when using this phrase, and consider semantically similar alternatives like "a substantial surplus" or "a healthy surplus" to diversify your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial surplus

Emphasizes the size and significance of the surplus.

a healthy surplus

Highlights the positive financial state implied by the surplus.

an adequate surplus

Focuses on the surplus being sufficient for needs.

a sizable surplus

Similar to "substantial", emphasizing the surplus's size.

a sufficient surplus

Indicates the surplus meets requirements or expectations.

a generous surplus

Suggests the surplus is more than what is strictly needed.

a manageable surplus

Highlights the ease with which the surplus can be handled or used.

a satisfactory surplus

Indicates the surplus meets expectations or benchmarks.

a favorable surplus

Highlights the positive nature and benefits of the surplus.

a welcome surplus

Emphasizes the positive reception and benefit of the surplus.

FAQs

How can "a comfortable surplus" be used in a sentence?

You can use "a comfortable surplus" to describe a financial situation where there's more than enough money. For example, "The company reported "a comfortable surplus" at the end of the fiscal year."

What are some alternatives to saying "a comfortable surplus"?

Alternatives include "substantial surplus", "healthy surplus", or "adequate surplus", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a comfortable surplus"?

Yes, "a comfortable surplus" is grammatically correct. The phrase is an adjective ("comfortable") modifying a noun ("surplus").

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "a comfortable surplus"?

The phrase is appropriate in financial, economic, and resource management contexts. It can be used in news articles, business reports, and academic discussions to describe a positive financial situation.