biggest outlay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "biggest outlay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the largest expenditure or investment in a particular context, such as budgeting or financial planning. Example: "The biggest outlay for our project will be the construction costs, which we need to account for in our budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Despite the outbreak of peace, this week's government budget awarded the biggest outlay to defence.

The Economist

But the biggest outlay is for competition fees, travel and accommodation.

The Guardian - Money

The biggest outlay is food the average cow consumes fodder worth about 10,000 rupees ($160) a year.

The Economist

Before the Indiana grant, Lilly's biggest outlay was $60 million to the United Way of Central Indiana in 1999.

The New York Times

(Its accounts are entirely inscrutable, since neither oil revenue, the biggest source of income, nor military expenditure, the biggest outlay, feature at all).

The Economist

The Senegalese international, who has also been attracting interest from Marseille, could be Villa's biggest outlay in the transfer market for four years.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Apparently among the biggest outlays is policing, fire brigade, health and safety and sanitation services, closely followed by staging, lighting and fencing.

Independent

The company's biggest outlays include "360 deals" with Jay-Z, Madonna, U2 and others, giving the company a stake in tours, recording and merchandise profits in exchange for nine-figure paydays.

The New York Times

This has involved one of the biggest outlays of any Formula One venue in the world, with $310m being spent on a 5.5km circuit and related facilities now under construction on the western outskirts of the city.The plan is to turn this into the centrepiece of a new "auto city" in which all aspects of the industry from manufacturing to sales will be concentrated.

The Economist

Childcare, education and food continue to be the biggest outlays, the study for Liverpool Victoria insurance shows.

BBC

The countries that made the biggest outlays in the U.S. last year were Germany and the U.K., while France and the rest of Europe scaled back their new investments.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial planning or budgeting, use "biggest outlay" to clearly indicate the area where the most money is being spent. This helps to prioritize and manage resources effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "biggest outlay" when you actually mean the most significant result or effect. "Outlay" refers to the expenditure, not the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "biggest outlay" functions as a noun phrase, where "biggest" modifies the noun "outlay." According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and is used to identify the largest expenditure or cost within a given context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "biggest outlay" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that refers to the largest expenditure in a particular context. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and demonstrates its usage across various domains, including news, business, and science. While alternatives like "largest expenditure" and "greatest expense" exist, "biggest outlay" effectively conveys the concept of the most significant financial commitment. Remember to use it accurately to describe expenses and avoid confusing it with outcomes. Its frequency and acceptance in diverse sources make it a reliable choice for clear and concise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

biggest expense

A more direct synonym emphasizing the cost.

largest expenditure

Replaces 'outlay' with 'expenditure', emphasizing the act of spending.

greatest expense

Substitutes 'outlay' with 'expense', highlighting the cost aspect.

greatest outlay

Focuses on the extent of the spending.

principal investment

Replaces 'outlay' with 'investment', focusing on the financial commitment.

major disbursement

Uses 'disbursement' instead of 'outlay', stressing the act of paying out money.

primary cost

Emphasizes 'cost' rather than 'outlay', directly pointing to the financial burden.

highest expenditure

Uses 'highest' to emphasize the magnitude of spending.

most significant expense

Highlights the importance of the expense.

largest investment

Directly refers to the size of the investment.

FAQs

How can I use "biggest outlay" in a sentence?

You can use "biggest outlay" to describe where the most money is being spent. For example: "The company's "biggest outlay" this year was on marketing."

What are some alternatives to saying "biggest outlay"?

Alternatives include "largest expenditure", "greatest expense", or "principal investment", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "biggest outlay" in formal writing?

Yes, "biggest outlay" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in business and financial contexts. It clearly conveys the idea of the largest expenditure.

What's the difference between "biggest outlay" and "major investment"?

"Biggest outlay" refers specifically to the amount of money spent, whereas "major investment" implies a strategic allocation of resources with the expectation of future returns. While related, the focus differs.