a major outlay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major outlay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing significant expenses or investments in a financial context. Example: "The company is planning a major outlay for the new marketing campaign to boost sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Wenger is keen to avoid a major outlay this month, preferring to do most of his business in the summer, but is in urgent need of attacking cover after Olivier Giroud, Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott were all ruled out.

Independent

On top of that, the financial regulations enacted by Congress last year are causing banks to add more risk managers and compliance staff — a major outlay for the biggest banks but potentially devastating to small lenders.

The New York Times

Fortunately, we'd just come off a major outlay of aerobic effort — a 17.1-mile 17.1-milerun over 13,120-foot Imountainass — so we had some caloruns tovercoup.

The New York Times - Travel

While £200 is a major outlay for a hotel room by any standards, this is Belgravia after all, and genuine five-star luxury anywhere within a two-mile radius is likely to come in at a minimum of double the price.

Independent

One figure being banded about is $10bn each - chump change to China, but a major outlay for the much smaller South African economy.

BBC

That's a major outlay of cash.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The two largely populist measures taken are the Food Security Act and the Direct Benefit Transfer, and none of these involve any major outlay.

The New York Times

While he says that an initial public offering is on his mind, he has no immediate plans for one, predicting that he can break into the European Internet market without a major cash outlay for a brand-building campaign.

The New York Times

Rather than selling his shares in an operation that would have required a major cash outlay, the move appears to have been made through an exchange of shares between those Mr. Esteves had in the holding company BTG Pactual Participations and those his partners hold in BTG Pactual itself.

The New York Times

He believes that mass customisation could re-energise manufacturing, create environmentally responsible jobs, and empower consumers to surround themselves with objects uniquely tailored to their needs.Once upon a time, industrial designers would toil in their studio, hoping to hit upon something that could tempt investors to a major capital outlay and production run.

The Economist

Since vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications require a major initial outlay and continuous maintenance, they have been less frequently implemented than vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications in applications in the field of Intelligent Transportation Systems ITSS).

Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a major outlay", consider the context to determine if emphasizing the investment aspect (using alternatives like "substantial investment") or the cost aspect (using alternatives like "considerable expense") is more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "a major outlay" for insignificant or routine expenses. This phrase implies a substantial financial commitment, so ensure the expenditure warrants such a description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major outlay" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a significant financial expenditure or investment. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in discussing business investments and project costs.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major outlay" is a noun phrase used to describe a significant financial expenditure or investment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While the phrase is suitable for both formal and informal communication, it is best used when emphasizing the scale and importance of the spending. As seen in Ludwig examples, this phrase is commonly found in news, business, and financial contexts. When using "a major outlay", remember that alternatives like "significant expenditure" or "substantial investment" can be used to fine-tune the emphasis of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant expenditure

Focuses on the act of spending a considerable amount.

substantial investment

Highlights the potential for future returns from the spending.

considerable expense

Emphasizes the cost aspect of the undertaking.

large capital injection

Implies a direct input of funds, often in a business context.

heavy financial commitment

Stresses the obligation and scale of the financial undertaking.

significant cash outflow

Highlights the movement of cash away from an entity.

major cash investment

Like 'substantial investment' but specifies cash as the investment type.

serious monetary commitment

Emphasizes the seriousness and financial nature of the obligation.

notable financial burden

Shifts focus to the weight or pressure created by the expenditure.

sizeable monetary contribution

Highlights the contribution aspect of the spending, implying a benefit.

FAQs

What does "a major outlay" mean?

The phrase "a major outlay" refers to a significant expenditure of money, often for an investment or a large purchase.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a major outlay"?

It's appropriate when describing substantial financial commitments, such as investing in new equipment, undertaking a large marketing campaign, or making a significant acquisition.

What can I say instead of "a major outlay"?

You can use alternatives like "significant expenditure", "substantial investment", or "considerable expense" depending on the context.

Is "a major outlay" formal or informal language?

"A major outlay" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts when discussing finances. While not overly technical, it clearly conveys a significant financial commitment.