beyond the means

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beyond the means" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is not affordable or exceeds one's financial capabilities. Example: "The cost of the luxury vacation was beyond the means of most families in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even discounted, the price is beyond the means of many.

The New York Times

It is beyond the means of individuals to reach them.

The Guardian

Mr Crozier said: "The Premier League is now beyond the means of any terrestrial broadcaster.

Independent

And extravagant, he might have added, beyond the means of most performing groups.

The New York Times - Arts

Treatment remains beyond the means of most people, and users are often treated as criminals.

The Economist

But the application is time-consuming and expensive and well beyond the means of many.

The New York Times

Such places, however, were well beyond the means of the urban poor.

The Guardian

Mechanical refrigeration is beyond the means of many small retail dealers.

Cornell University

The cost of first-time buying has soared far beyond the means of most.

The Guardian - Opinion

But deployment of such technologies is beyond the means of most dairy farmers.

The New York Times

The responsibility for providing safe, secure, good-quality housing is beyond the means of local authorities.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "beyond the means", be specific about who or what cannot afford something to provide context and clarity. For example, "Luxury cars are beyond the means of most college students."

Common error

Avoid using "beyond the means" when referring to something that is simply difficult to achieve, rather than financially impossible. For example, say "mastering quantum physics" is difficult instead of "beyond my means".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beyond the means" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is unaffordable or unattainable due to financial limitations. This is supported by the examples in Ludwig, where it's often used to describe costs associated with housing, healthcare, or education.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

23%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

13%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "beyond the means" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that something is unaffordable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys that a particular item, service, or activity exceeds someone's financial capacity. Its usage spans various contexts, from news reports and academic papers to more general discussions, with news and media being the most prevalent. While alternatives like "unaffordable" or "out of reach" exist, "beyond the means" offers a clear and direct way to communicate financial constraints.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unaffordable

Single word expressing inability to afford something, direct synonym but in a single word.

too costly

Simple way to express that something's price is too high, direct synonym.

out of reach

Describes something unattainable, focusing on lack of access or possibility.

cost-prohibitive

Similar to 'prohibitively expensive' but concise, in a single word.

prohibitively expensive

Emphasizes the high cost as the primary barrier.

financially unattainable

Focuses specifically on the financial aspect of being unable to acquire something.

outside one's financial capacity

Highlights the limitations of available funds or credit.

beyond one's financial capabilities

Similar to financial capacity, but uses capabilities which implies a future time frame.

not within budget

Indicates something exceeds allocated financial resources.

not economically viable

Suggests that an activity or project is not sustainable due to financial reasons.

FAQs

How can I use "beyond the means" in a sentence?

You can use "beyond the means" to describe something that is too expensive for someone to afford. For instance, "A new car is "beyond the means" of many college students."

What's a simpler way to say "beyond the means"?

Alternatives include "unaffordable", "too expensive", or "out of reach", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say 'beyond my means' or 'beyond the means of me'?

"Beyond my means" is the correct and more natural way to express that something is unaffordable for you personally. "Beyond the means of me" is grammatically awkward.

What is the difference between "beyond the means" and "out of reach"?

While both phrases indicate unattainability, ""beyond the means"" specifically refers to financial impossibility, whereas ""out of reach"" can refer to any kind of unattainability, whether financial, physical, or metaphorical.