below the budget

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "below the budget" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something costs less than what was planned or allotted for in a budget. Example: "The construction project came in below the budget, saving the company thousands of dollars."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

As discussed below, the budget for processing is fixed, and effectively, so is k In P max.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

That amount is slightly below the budget of the National Institutes of Health and only 3 percent as large as the Social Security budget.

The New York Times

That will leave school budgets about $178 million smaller than last year's — a cut about half the size of the reduction schools faced last year, which averaged 4.2 percent below the budget of the previous year.

The New York Times

Falling oil prices (now below the budget benchmark of $53 per barrel); Boko Haram's raging insurgency that has claimed more than 13,000 lives; and large-scale corruption have ensured Nigerians are getting tetchy.

The Guardian

The idea being that people who booked below the budget for a trip would personally pocket half of the savings being generated for the business — along the lines of YC-backed Rocketrip.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

These above-and-below-the-line budgets are typically disconnected from each other, with different management, agencies and metrics.

Huffington Post

The stronger employment levels in the first third of 2015-16 have the unemployment rate tracking well below the budget-time forecast.

The Guardian - Business

Fuel costs are projected to be $88 million higher than anticipated this year, while real estate tax revenue is expected to be $201 million below the budgeted amount.

The New York Times

He made heads turn by producing movies with mass family appeal for $70 million to $80 million, well below the budgets of movies from DreamWorks and Disney, where budgets are well over $100 million.

Los Angeles Times

But even by 2012, when Mr. Obama faces re-election, the jobless rate would be just below 9 percent, the budget office projected.

The New York Times

The Senate plan, for instance, appears to hold military spending in the fiscal years 2009 through 2013 below what the budget office says would be necessary to support the same spending levels President Bush has proposed for 2008.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting financial results, use "below the budget" to highlight cost savings and efficient resource management. Be specific with the amount saved to emphasize the positive outcome.

Common error

Ensure clarity when communicating financial results. Avoid ambiguous language that could mistakenly suggest costs were higher than planned, especially in formal reports.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "below the budget" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the status of expenses in relation to a predetermined budget. Ludwig shows examples in various contexts, primarily referring to financial performance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "below the budget" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that expenses were less than anticipated or allocated in a budget. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. Alternative phrases such as "under budget" and "less than budgeted" offer similar meanings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and specify the amount saved to highlight the positive financial outcome. While versatile, its use indicates efficient resource management and cost savings in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under budget

This alternative is shorter and more direct, implying that expenses were less than allocated.

less than budgeted

This alternative explicitly states that the actual cost was less than the budgeted amount.

under the estimated cost

This alternative explicitly refers to the estimation made before the project or period.

costing less than planned

This alternative emphasizes the planning aspect of the budget and the reduced cost.

within budget

This alternative means the cost was not above the budget, although it does not specify if it was below.

more cost-effective than budgeted

This alternative emphasizes the cost-effectiveness compared to the original budget, highlighting efficiency.

saving money on the budget

This alternative focuses on the act of saving money in relation to the budget.

cheaper than expected

This alternative emphasizes surprise, the expenses were unexpectedly lower.

economical compared to budget

This alternative highlights the economical aspect in relation to the original budget.

fiscally responsible

This alternative points out the general responsible attitude by whom is handling the budget.

FAQs

How can I use "below the budget" in a sentence?

You can use "below the budget" to describe situations where actual expenses are less than the allocated budget. For example, "The project was completed "below the budget", allowing for reallocation of funds."

What can I say instead of "below the budget"?

You can use alternatives like "under budget", "less than budgeted", or "within budget" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "below the budget" or "under budget"?

Both ""below the budget"" and "under budget" are correct. "Under budget" is often considered a more concise and informal alternative.

What does it mean when a project comes in "below the budget"?

It means that the total expenses for the project were less than the amount of money that was originally allocated or budgeted for it. This typically indicates efficient management and cost control.