balanced budget

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "balanced budget" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing financial plans or policies that aim to ensure that expenditures do not exceed revenues. Example: "The government is committed to achieving a balanced budget by the end of the fiscal year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Most states have balanced budget requirements.

The New York Times

Overall, it was a well crafted and balanced budget.

The Guardian

Johnson on Balanced Budget Mr. Johnson pledged to submit a balanced budget to Congress.

The New York Times

Balanced Budget Amendment.

The Washington Post

Same mechanism used in 1997 Balanced Budget Agreement".

The New York Times

Balanced Budget?

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Balanced-budget rules vary.

The Economist

Portman also advocated a balanced-budget amendment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Balanced-budget rules are the most common.

The Economist

So I'm a balanced-budget progressive Democrat".

The New York Times

So do balanced-budget rules make sense?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing government finances, use "balanced budget" to convey responsible fiscal planning and management.

Common error

Avoid assuming that achieving a "balanced budget" necessarily requires drastic spending cuts that harm essential services. A balanced approach involves both revenue increases and expenditure control.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "balanced budget" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject or object in a sentence. As demonstrated by Ludwig AI, it describes a state of equilibrium in financial planning, particularly within governmental or organizational contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "balanced budget" is a very common term, primarily used in news and media and academic contexts to describe a financial plan where income and expenditure are equal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and conveys fiscal responsibility. When writing about finances, using "balanced budget" effectively requires understanding its nuances and potential alternatives such as "budget equilibrium" or "fiscal balance". Be mindful not to equate a "balanced budget" solely with austerity, as a balanced approach integrates both revenue and spending management.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

budget equilibrium

Replaces "balanced" with "equilibrium", emphasizing the state of equality between income and expenditure.

fiscal balance

Uses "fiscal" to specify the financial context and "balance" as a noun.

budgetary balance

Replaces "balanced" with "budgetary", clarifying the balance within the budget itself.

equilibrium budget

Similar to "budget equilibrium", focusing on the state of balance.

sustainable budget

Implies a budget that is not only balanced but also maintainable over time.

sound fiscal management

Shifts the focus to the responsible management practices that lead to a balanced budget.

fiscally responsible budget

Highlights the responsibility aspect of creating a balanced budget.

no-deficit budget

Emphasizes the absence of a deficit, which is a key characteristic of a balanced budget.

revenue-neutral budget

Focuses on the balance between revenue and expenditure, implying no net change.

budget in equilibrium

Expresses the idea of budget balance using different wording and structure.

FAQs

How is "balanced budget" used in a sentence?

The phrase "balanced budget" is used to describe a financial plan where total revenues equal total expenditures, such as: "The government aims to achieve a "balanced budget" by reducing spending and increasing tax revenues."

What are some alternatives to "balanced budget"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "budget equilibrium", "fiscal balance", or "budgetary balance" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always desirable to have a "balanced budget"?

While a "balanced budget" is often seen as a sign of fiscal responsibility, some economists argue that running a deficit can be beneficial during economic downturns to stimulate growth. It depends on the specific economic context and long-term goals.

What's the difference between "balanced budget" and "budget surplus"?

A "balanced budget" means that revenues equal expenditures. A "budget surplus", on the other hand, occurs when revenues exceed expenditures, resulting in extra funds.