budget overrun

USAGE SUMMARY

'budget overrun' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that refers to an instance where the costs of a project exceed the budget set for it. For example: "The budget overrun on the construction project was due to unexpected costs incurred during the labor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Additional costs for hardware also contributed to the budget overrun, the board said.

The Guardian

I agree with the newspapers that a capital budget overrun of almost $2 billion is outrageous.

The New York Times

Economy is important when defining if a project has been successful or not, but budget overrun is an everyday problem in refurbishment projects.

Energy Procedia

But the budget overrun is so large that Ouattara has ordered an inquiry into the tendering process.

The Guardian

The budget overrun was due to the provision of extra "floor walkers" to help hospital staff with the new system and additional technical resources, according to the trust.

The Guardian

"Ray Bickson will kill me". Those who know the hospitable Mr. Bickson, the hotel's general manager, would have a hard time imagining that a $3,000 budget overrun could push him to homicide.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Astonishing budget overruns are routine.

The New Yorker

Budget overruns were common.

The Guardian

A solution to this mega problem of budget overruns actually exists.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Regional overspending accounted for two-thirds of Spain's budget overruns last year.

The New York Times

The panel and its report followed budget overruns of $95 million in fiscal year 2009 and $20 million in 2010.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting a "budget overrun", clearly state the original budget, the amount exceeded, and the reasons for the increase to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "budget overrun" when there was no initial budget established. A "budget overrun" implies a pre-existing budget that was exceeded, not simply high expenses without a plan.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "budget overrun" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the situation where expenses exceed the allocated budget for a particular project or activity. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it's used to report on financial mismanagement or unforeseen costs.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

34%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "budget overrun" is a noun phrase referring to the situation where expenses exceed the allocated budget. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While the term appears more frequently in contexts like News & Media and Science, it can also be relevant in other domains. Alternatives include "cost excess" or simply "over budget". When using the phrase, it's crucial to provide context by specifying the original budget, the amount exceeded, and the reasons for the increase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over budget

A more concise way of saying that the budget was exceeded.

running over budget

Expresses the action of exceeding the allocated budget during a project.

cost excess

Replaces "budget" with "cost" and "overrun" with "excess", focusing on the general increase in expenses.

spending excess

Replaces "budget" with "spending", focusing on the act of spending more than allocated.

expenditure overshoot

Substitutes "budget" with "expenditure" and "overrun" with "overshoot", highlighting the act of exceeding spending limits.

budget deficit

Indicates a shortfall in the budget, often resulting from overspending.

cost escalation

Focuses on the increasing cost of a project, often implying a "budget overrun" is occurring.

financial blowout

Suggests a sudden and significant "budget overrun", often implying mismanagement.

funds depletion

Highlights the reduction of available funds due to overspending.

fiscal imbalance

Indicates a discrepancy between planned and actual spending, often leading to a "budget overrun".

FAQs

How can I use "budget overrun" in a sentence?

You might say, "The project suffered a significant "budget overrun" due to unforeseen circumstances".

What are some alternatives to "budget overrun"?

Alternatives include "cost excess", "expenditure overshoot", or simply saying the project was "over budget".

Is it correct to say 'budget overruns'?

Yes, "budget overruns" is the plural form, used when referring to multiple instances of exceeding a budget.

What typically causes a "budget overrun"?

Common causes include unexpected costs, poor planning, scope creep, and inaccurate initial estimates.