balances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "balances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as discussing financial accounts, weighing options, or maintaining equilibrium in a situation. Example: "The accountant ensures that the company's financial records balances at the end of each month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Checks and balances are still in place, however, and students meet with their teacher at least once a week to demonstrate what they have been learning.

The Guardian

He has used the many attacks on him – not least from the European commission – to justify what critics correctly see as a comprehensive attempt to undermine checks and balances, and remake the entire country in the image of one political party.

The Guardian - Opinion

Any financial liabilities held, such as outstanding balances on credit cards and student loans, are then subtracted to provide a net measure of wealth Private pension wealth: this includes occupational and personal pensions as well as retained rights in private pensions and pensions in payment.

The Guardian

The US and the EU share one characteristic: they are, in the jargon of political science, "mixed regimes", with a strong separation of powers and numerous checks and balances.

The Guardian - Opinion

And it has major consequences: pPluralism and all that follows from it – the idea of a legitimate opposition, checks and balances, reasonable compromise – is anathema to them.

The Guardian - Opinion

The president conceded that while he was confident the necessary system of checks and balances was in place, the public might not fully be aware of this.

The Guardian

Professor Newman, director of the Monash University Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology told Guardian Australia she had "very serious concerns" about the measures being introduced and the lack of checks and balances that appear to have been established.

The Guardian

"It shows that we are prepared to really demonstrate that our system of checks and balances is sustainable and credible," he said.

The Guardian

Nationwide, which holds around a fifth of Britain's personal savings balances, angered customers after it began paying substantially more interest on its two- and three-year savings bonds than on its near-identical Isa accounts.

The Guardian - Money

Take Alliance & Leicester's branch Isa, which pays just 0.1% interest on balances up to £40,000 and 0.5% above that.

The Guardian - Money

Big student loan balances could mean big headwinds to a real estate recovery – and that could affect the value of your property, when you decide it's time to sell and move to Florida or Arizona.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In political contexts, when mentioning "checks and balances", illustrate what specific mechanisms are in place to ensure accountability and prevent abuse of power.

Common error

Avoid using "balances" loosely without context. For example, stating that a system has "balances" without specifying what those balances consist of or how they function makes the statement vague and unactionable.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "balances" is a plural noun. It refers to multiple accounts or a system of checks designed to maintain equilibrium. Ludwig AI confirms that "balances" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "balances" functions primarily as a plural noun, commonly used to describe financial states or systems of equilibrium. Ludwig confirms it is correct and usable in English. Its usage spans across neutral, professional, and formal registers. Predominantly featured in News & Media, the term's meaning remains context-dependent, requiring precise specification for clarity. To avoid ambiguity, particularly in financial contexts, it is crucial to clarify what type of "balances" is being referenced. Understanding its multifaceted nature enhances effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equilibrium states

Emphasizes the condition of equilibrium, which is one aspect of "balances".

checks and restraints

Emphasizes the idea of constraints within a system that creates balance.

financial positions

Focuses specifically on the financial aspect of "balances", referring to the net financial status.

offsetting factors

Focuses on the elements that counteract each other to create balance.

counteracting forces

Similar to offsetting factors, but emphasizes the dynamic interplay of forces.

outstanding debts

Highlights the liabilities side of financial balances.

compensating elements

Emphasizes that things are compensating each other to form a balance.

symmetrical arrangements

Highlights the symmetry aspect of balances, where elements are equally distributed.

equal measures

Highlights the concept of equal proportions.

remaining amounts

Focuses on what is left after deductions, in the context of financial balances.

FAQs

How is "balances" used in finance?

In finance, "balances" typically refers to the amounts of money in an account, either as a credit or debit. It can also refer to the difference between assets and liabilities in a balance sheet.

What does "checks and balances" mean in political science?

"Checks and balances" refers to a system in government where different branches have powers to limit the actions of other branches, ensuring no single entity becomes too powerful.

What are some synonyms for "balances" in a financial context?

In financial contexts, you can use alternatives like "financial positions", "outstanding debts", or "remaining amounts" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "balance" and "balances"?

"Balance" is singular and refers to a state of equilibrium or a single financial amount. "Balances" is plural and refers to multiple amounts or a system of checks designed to maintain equilibrium.