automatic spending reductions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "automatic spending reductions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in discussions about budget cuts or fiscal policy, particularly in government or financial contexts. Example: "The government announced automatic spending reductions to address the budget deficit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

This comprises $700bn in expiring Bush-era tax cuts and automatic spending reductions that kick in at the beginning of 2013.

Independent

If Congress and the Administration cannot agree on how to close the deficit gap, the law imposes automatic spending reductions that would be equally split between domestic and military programs.

The New York Times

The attention on the plan is evidence that ideas on deficit reduction are beginning to take firmer form as the January deadline for dealing with expiring tax cuts and automatic spending reductions draws close.

The New York Times

Democrats and Republicans are far apart on how to extend the Bush-era tax breaks beyond January — the same month automatic spending reductions are set to take effect — unless there is a deal to trim the deficit.

The New York Times

The IMF's first deputy managing director David Lipton blamed much of the instability and fear in the global economy on the US, which he said needs to do more to show it is trying to address the expiring tax cuts and automatic spending reductions that will hit early next year unless Congress acts.

The Guardian - Business

Earlier this year, the budget office predicted that the full possible effects of the situation — including the expiration of the so-called Bush tax cuts and automatic spending reductions put in place in last year's contentious debt-ceiling debate — could shave as much as $800 billion off gross domestic product in 2013.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The automatic spending cuts and other reductions to the National Institutes of Health's (NIH's) budget this year have caused slightly less damage than expected, NIH Director Francis Collins said yesterday.

Science Magazine

The law also established a congressional panel to find another $1.2 trillion in budget cuts over a decade, and ordered automatic across-the-board spending reductions if the group failed to reach a compromise by the end of 2011.

Huffington Post

All reductions in automatic spending increases under section 906(a)  of this title shall be made.

Cornell University

Many lawmakers hope the Administration will enter negotiations when it realizes the automatic spending cuts will make major reductions in the Pentagon budget.

The New York Times

If leaders in Washington fail to reach a deficit-reduction deal, automatic spending cuts projected to total $1.2 trillion over nine years are set to begin taking effect Jan . 1

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing fiscal policy, use "automatic spending reductions" to clearly indicate pre-set cuts that occur without further legislative action. This avoids ambiguity and ensures precise communication.

Common error

Avoid using "automatic spending reductions" when referring to budget adjustments made at the discretion of lawmakers. The term specifically denotes cuts implemented according to a pre-existing mechanism, not through active decision-making.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "automatic spending reductions" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific type of budgetary measure. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "automatic spending reductions" accurately describes pre-set budget cuts implemented without further legislative action. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English, and the phrase commonly appears in news and media when describing the budget and fiscal policy. As such, the register is considered neutral to formal. To enhance clarity, distinguish from discretionary spending and use related terms like "mandatory budget cuts", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

automatic budget cuts

Emphasizes the budget aspect, simplifying the phrase by removing the word "spending".

mandatory spending reductions

Replaces "automatic" with "mandatory," stressing the legally required nature of the cuts.

mandatory budget cuts

Focuses on the obligatory nature of the cuts, shifting from the mechanism to the requirement.

across-the-board spending cuts

Specifies that the cuts affect all areas equally, emphasizing the breadth of the reductions.

budget sequestration

A more formal term for automatic spending cuts, often used in governmental and financial contexts.

sequester

This is a specific term often used to refer to automatic, across-the-board spending cuts mandated by law.

legislated spending cuts

Emphasizes the legal basis of the spending reductions, focusing on their enactment through legislation.

predetermined spending reductions

Focuses on the fact that the cuts were decided upon in advance.

formulaic spending cuts

Highlights the rule-based nature of the cuts, implying a pre-determined calculation.

pre-programmed spending cuts

Implies the cuts are determined in advance and are set to occur according to a schedule.

FAQs

How are "automatic spending reductions" typically implemented?

They are usually triggered by a failure to meet certain deficit reduction goals. If Congress doesn't agree on alternative measures, these cuts automatically go into effect.

What's a synonym for "automatic spending reductions"?

A close synonym is "mandatory budget cuts", which emphasizes the legally required nature of the reductions.

What's the impact of "automatic spending reductions" on government programs?

These cuts can affect a wide range of government programs, potentially leading to reduced services, staff layoffs, and project delays.

What is the difference between "automatic spending reductions" and "discretionary spending"?

"Automatic spending reductions" are pre-programmed cuts that occur without further legislative action, while "discretionary spending" is subject to annual budget appropriations by Congress.