block funds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "block funds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in financial contexts to refer to the act of restricting or freezing access to certain funds or financial resources. Example: "Due to the ongoing investigation, the bank has decided to block funds associated with the suspicious account."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The elected officials will be denied travel permits, and every effort is being made to block funds to Palestinians.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just months beforehand, "I predicted that the country would default on its foreign loans, freeze bank accounts, block funds and devalue its currency," Mr. Rogers writes.

The New York Times

It's appalling that the Bush administration feels that it is necessary to block funds for United Nations family planning services to appease its right-wing supporters.

The New York Times

However, a spokesman for Natural Resources Wales denied that the decision to block funds for the Skomer guillemot project would jeopardise future understanding of the bird's behaviour.

The Guardian

If the opposition continues to win support from the splinter faction, it would have the simple majority needed to block funds for government ministries and projects.

The Guardian

Kansans, who like limited government for other people, were startled when Mr Roberts voted against a farm bill and tried to block funds for a research centre in Kansas that he had sought for a decade.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

This paper empirically tests for differences in the novelty of funded outputs between internal block funding and competitive project funding, in the setting of Japan, where both funding models play a significant role.

Research Policy

Block funding grants will get $127m over four years.

The Guardian

The conservative priorities discarded in the final deal included provisions to block funding for Planned Parenthood, block funding to administer the Affordable Care Act and block funding for fetal tissue research.

The Washington Post

In many countries the scientific funding system is shifting from an internal block funding model toward a competitive project funding model.

Research Policy

In contrast, compared to internal block funding, competitive project funding has a negative relation to novelty for low status scientists (especially junior and female researchers).

Research Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "block funds", ensure the context clearly indicates who is blocking the funds and the reason behind it. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "block funds" when you mean a temporary administrative hold. "Block funds" often implies a more deliberate or legal action, whereas a temporary hold might be due to routine processing or verification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "block funds" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "block" acts as a transitive verb and "funds" serves as the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "block funds" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes the act of restricting access to financial resources. While not exceedingly common, Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and it finds use in varied contexts. It commonly appears in News & Media, and Science where the goal is to indicate a deliberate halting of funds for legal or policy reasons. For alternatives, consider "freeze assets" or "withhold funding" depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey. When writing, be specific about who is blocking the funds and why to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

restrict funds

Indicates limiting the use or access to funds, rather than completely stopping it.

withhold funding

Emphasizes the act of holding back funds that would otherwise be provided.

cut off funding

Implies a complete and potentially abrupt termination of financial support.

deny funding

Highlights the refusal to grant or provide funds.

freeze assets

Focuses on temporarily stopping access to assets, often in a legal or investigative context; more formal.

suspend payments

Refers to a temporary halt in the disbursement of funds.

halt disbursement

Focuses on stopping the process of distributing funds.

impound funds

Suggests taking legal control of funds, often by a government entity.

put a hold on funds

Informal way of saying funds are temporarily unavailable.

seize funds

Suggests confiscating funds, often due to illegal activity.

FAQs

What does "block funds" mean in a financial context?

In a financial context, "block funds" means to restrict or freeze access to certain funds, preventing them from being used or transferred. It's often a legal or administrative action taken due to investigations, sanctions, or policy changes.

What can I say instead of "block funds"?

You can use alternatives like "freeze assets", "withhold funding", or "restrict funds" depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance regarding the degree and reason for the restriction.

Is it correct to use "block funds" in formal writing?

Yes, "block funds" is acceptable in formal writing, especially in news reports, legal documents, and business communications. However, ensure the context is appropriate and the meaning is clear. More formal alternatives like "freeze assets" may also be considered.

What's the difference between "block funds" and "seize funds"?

"Block funds" generally implies a temporary restriction or freezing of access, while "seize funds" suggests a permanent confiscation, often due to illegal activities or legal judgments. The former may be lifted, while the latter usually represents a final action.