budget overruns

USAGE SUMMARY

"budget overruns" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing situations where expenses exceed the planned budget. For example, "The project faced significant budget overruns due to unforeseen costs." Alternative expressions include "cost overruns" and "exceeding the budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Astonishing budget overruns are routine.

The New Yorker

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

The New York Times

After three years of delays, it had serious budget overruns and remained unfinished.

The New York Times

The money was used to cover budget overruns in other town departments, he said.

The New York Times

So is spending on defence, health and local government, where officials had turned a blind eye to budget overruns.

The Economist

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

WEAKNESSES Susceptible to enchanted amulets and huge budget overruns; tendency to turn friends and acquaintances into werewolves too.

The New York Times

But the government has repeatedly mismanaged its spending, and its fiscal policy has been characterized by chronic budget overruns.

The New York Times

"The track record of new reactor projects in Finland and France is massive delays and budget overruns.

The Guardian

Possibly the only impact of the probe was to hasten the end of Trailblazer, whose budget overruns had become indisputably staggering.

The New Yorker

The satellite program, crucial to tracking hurricanes and blizzards, has been plagued by technical difficulties, underestimated costs and subsequent budget overruns.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing projects or governmental finances, use "budget overruns" to clearly indicate that the allocated budget has been exceeded. This term is direct and widely understood in financial contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "budget overruns" when referring to a planned increase in the budget. "Budget overruns" specifically denote unplanned excess spending beyond the original allocation, not a deliberate adjustment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "budget overruns" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It signifies the act of exceeding the allocated financial resources for a specific project, period, or organization. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

23%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science & Research

7%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "budget overruns" is a commonly used noun phrase that accurately describes instances where expenses exceed the planned budget. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When writing about financial matters, using "budget overruns" provides clarity. However, it's crucial to differentiate it from planned budget increases. Alternatives like "cost overruns" and "expenditure excesses" can offer nuance depending on the specific situation you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cost overruns

Focuses specifically on costs exceeding the budget, often used interchangeably.

overspending

A general term for spending more than intended or budgeted.

expenditure excesses

Highlights the excessive nature of spending beyond the allocated amount.

excessive spending

Emphasizes the degree to which spending has gone beyond what is acceptable.

financial mismanagement

Indicates poor handling of finances, potentially leading to budget issues.

cost escalations

Refers to the increasing costs, particularly in project management scenarios.

uncontrolled expenditures

Highlights the lack of management or oversight in spending.

deficit spending

Implies spending that creates a financial deficit.

fiscal irresponsibility

Suggests a lack of proper financial control and accountability.

blown budget

An informal way of saying the budget has been significantly exceeded.

FAQs

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

You can use "budget overruns" to describe situations where a project or organization's expenses exceed its planned budget. For example, "The construction project experienced significant "budget overruns" due to unforeseen material costs."

What are some alternatives to "budget overruns"?

Alternatives include "cost overruns", "expenditure excesses", or simply "overspending" depending on the context.

What causes "budget overruns"?

"Budget overruns" can be caused by various factors, including poor planning, unexpected expenses, scope creep, and inaccurate initial estimates.

Is it always bad to have "budget overruns"?

While generally undesirable, "budget overruns" aren't always negative. They might occur due to necessary adjustments or unforeseen circumstances that ultimately improve the project's outcome. However, significant or frequent "budget overruns" usually indicate poor financial management.