budgets are strained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "budgets are strained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where financial resources are limited or under pressure, often in the context of organizations or governments facing financial challenges. Example: "Due to the recent economic downturn, many departments have reported that their budgets are strained, leading to cuts in various programs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The closure of groups like the Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust illustrate the difficulty of finding alternative sources of income at a time when everyone's budgets are strained.

The Guardian

"Hotel budgets are strained, and they have to look carefully as to whether they can hire or sustain some positions," Mr. Flynn said.

The New York Times

A lot of folks in Ottawa -- and in other cities where budgets are strained by the arduous task of snow removal -- think the 14 feet of snow that's fallen on them this winter is more than enough, thanks.

The New York Times

Much of the Middle East depends on Western handouts, and budgets are strained keeping up with the appetite for new weaponry and the pressure from Europe and the United States to buy more and more arms.

The New York Times

The system has come with its disappointments — council budgets are strained and have shrunk in recent years — but the system has brought a greater sense of political intimacy than elections for the national Parliament in Bangkok, a seven-hour drive away.

The New York Times

At a time when city budgets are strained, they say that Millcreek's Home Depot, its for-profit hospital and supermarkets would make ripe targets for annexation by nearby cities. "This is our last chance if we want to stay together and become a city," Ms. Shepherd, one of the leading organizers, said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"I think the budget is strained already," he said.

The New York Times

Economic growth has remained at about 4-5% per year in 2010-13, buthehe government's budget was strained by high inflation in 2010.

Forbes

The bad news is that the cost of bringing these engineered systems up to par comes at a time when government budgets at all levels are strained, if not in crisis.

Huffington Post

But this figure masks intervals of less than a year for prized infantry units and specialists such as intelligence experts, petroleum operators and medics.Budgets, too, are strained.

The Economist

New York's singular success has attracted attention across the country from public officials whose budgets have been strained by the prison boom.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and adjust the level of formality. While "budgets are strained" is generally suitable for news and professional contexts, more formal alternatives like "fiscal capacity is constrained" may be preferable in academic or official reports.

Common error

Avoid using "budgets are strained" when the situation is merely a minor inconvenience. Reserve it for scenarios where the financial limitations have a significant impact on operations or services.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "budgets are strained" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that financial resources are under pressure or limited. Ludwig AI shows this phrase is commonly used to explain the difficulties faced by organizations or individuals due to financial constraints.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "budgets are strained" is a common way to describe situations where financial resources are limited, particularly for organizations or governments. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, most notably in news and media. When using this phrase, providing context on the cause of the strain enhances clarity. While versatile, it is important to reserve its use for situations where financial limitations significantly impact operations. Alternatives such as "finances are tight" or "resources are stretched" can provide similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finances are tight

Focuses on the overall financial situation being limited.

funds are limited

Emphasizes the scarcity of available funding.

resources are stretched

Highlights the over-allocation of available resources.

fiscal capacity is constrained

More formal way of describing limitations to financial capabilities.

economic conditions are stressed

Highlights external conditions affecting financial stability.

financial resources are stretched thin

Adds emphasis to the severity of resource allocation.

coffers are depleted

Suggests near-exhaustion of financial reserves.

revenue streams are constricted

Focuses on the limited incoming revenue.

spending power is curtailed

Emphasizes reduced ability to spend.

financial constraints are present

Simply acknowledges the existence of financial limitations.

FAQs

How can I use "budgets are strained" in a sentence?

You can use "budgets are strained" to describe situations where financial resources are limited. For example: "Due to the economic recession, many school districts are finding that their "budgets are strained"."

What are some alternatives to saying "budgets are strained"?

Alternatives include "finances are tight", "funds are limited", or "resources are stretched" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "budgets are strained" in formal writing?

Yes, "budgets are strained" is suitable for formal writing, especially in news reports or professional documents. However, for highly academic contexts, you may consider using a more formal alternative such as "fiscal capacity is constrained".

What does it mean when someone says "budgets are strained"?

When someone says "budgets are strained", it means that there are financial difficulties and resources are limited, often due to factors like economic downturns, increased expenses, or reduced funding.