budget ran out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "budget ran out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a situation where financial resources have been exhausted or depleted. Example: "We need to find additional funding for the project because our budget ran out last month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The state budget ran out, too.

The Guardian

The opening ceremony of the Games was run on a tight budget but I liked it best when the budget ran out completely, leaving nothing but people.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But it took Sardar a week to find the nomads, the budget ran out, a balloon for aerial shots caught on fire, and the French went home mission unaccomplished.

The New Yorker

But just a year and a half later, despite regular hints of a permanent contract, two of us were let go – with less than a month's notice - because the temp staff budget ran out.

The Guardian

Two days later, Guardian Tech's freelance budget ran out of money, my column was laid off and I was hired by TechCrunch in San Francisco.

TechCrunch

Upon the completion of the recording sessions, Auf der Maur's budget ran out and did not have funds to mix the album but was signed to Capitol Records soon afterwards.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The financial framework for the budget runs out in 2006.

The Economist

If we assume that emissions remain constant, the 1.5oC budget runs out sometime in 2025, while the 2oC budget runs out sometime in 2035.

Columbia University

Each year, when the budget runs out, a number of workers are temporarily removed from the payroll.

The Guardian

Also, if Intel is giving the ultrabook makers something of the order of $100 to push them, what happens when that budget runs out? 17:11 Jeff Clarke of Dell.

The Guardian - Tech

"All the focus and all the talk so far has been on the operating budget, and the capital budget runs out next year and we need to know the money is going to continue to flow".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "budget ran out", clearly state what the budget was intended for to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the consequences when you say the "budget ran out". Instead, focus on the specific impacts, such as project delays or reduced scope, rather than making generalized claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "budget ran out" functions as a statement indicating the depletion of financial resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and clear. It's used to convey that no more funds are available within a specific budgetary allocation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "budget ran out" is a grammatically correct and clear phrase used to indicate that allocated funds have been completely exhausted. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While more formal alternatives exist, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what the budget was for and avoid exaggerating the consequences. Understanding its communicative purpose and common usage patterns will help you use it effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

financial resources exhausted

Highlights the complete consumption of financial resources.

available capital exhausted

Points out the complete usage of available capital.

funds were depleted

Emphasizes the reduction of funds to a lower level.

monetary reserves depleted

Emphasizes the exhaustion of monetary reserves.

money was used up

Focuses on the consumption of money.

spending capacity reached its limit

Highlights the restriction on the ability to spend further.

funding dried up

Suggests the source of funding has stopped.

coffers were empty

Uses a more figurative term for available funds being zero.

resources were insufficient

Indicates the available resources were not enough.

fiscal limits reached

Highlights that the maximum financial allowance was reached.

FAQs

How can I use "budget ran out" in a sentence?

You can use "budget ran out" to indicate that the allocated funds for something have been completely used. For example, "The project was delayed because the "budget ran out" before we could complete the final phase."

What can I say instead of "budget ran out"?

You can use alternatives like "funds were depleted", "financial resources exhausted", or "money was used up" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "budget ran out" in formal writing?

Yes, "budget ran out" is generally acceptable in formal writing, especially in contexts where clarity is prioritized. However, in very formal or academic contexts, you might prefer alternatives like "funds were depleted" or "financial resources exhausted".

What's the difference between "budget ran out" and "budget deficit"?

"Budget ran out" means the allocated funds have been completely used, while "budget deficit" indicates that spending exceeded the allocated funds, creating a shortfall.