budgets are stretched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "budgets are stretched" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing financial constraints or limitations, particularly in contexts involving expenses or funding. For example: "Due to the recent economic downturn, many organizations find that their budgets are stretched thin." Alternative expressions include "budgets are tight" and "budgets are limited."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

We all recognize that budgets are stretched thin.

The New York Times

The money is a much-needed boost, since budgets are stretched tighter than a high wire.

The New York Times

Their budgets are stretched by fixed outgoings like fuel bills, which have got more expensive.

The Economist

But she acknowledges that in this world of overlapping, protracted crises, humanitarian budgets are stretched.

The Guardian

Mr. Jernigan, the U-Store-It executive, says budgets are stretched tight.

The New York Times

First, because they offer their customers convenient injections of cash, at a time when many budgets are stretched.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Also, with prices down on everything from concrete to shingles, construction budgets are stretching further.

The New York Times

Local budgets were stretched even before the recession; now, diminished tax receipts have threatened their ability to balance budgets.

The New York Times - Magazine

Boston has not raised more than $2 million from private contributors beyond its initial $22 million in financial commitments toward a $49.5 million budget, and Mayor Menino said the $17.5 million in public financing originally projected was unlikely to come through because state and city budgets were stretched thin.

The New York Times

For months, we have seen local stories of families and communities struggling to cope as Head Start programs have been forced to turn away children because their budgets were stretched to the breaking point.

Huffington Post

Milbury, whose budget is stretched, sounded yesterday as if he believed him.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about financial difficulties, use "budgets are stretched" to clearly and concisely communicate that available funds are being used to their maximum capacity. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the situation by using overly dramatic language. Instead of saying "budgets are completely depleted", use "budgets are stretched" to maintain a professional and factual tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "budgets are stretched" functions as a descriptive statement. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to describe a state of financial constraint, where available funds are being utilized to their fullest extent. The examples show its use in various contexts to communicate this state.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "budgets are stretched" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a situation where financial resources are limited and fully utilized. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability across various contexts. While alternatives like "budgets are tight" or "resources are stretched" exist, the original phrase effectively conveys the intended meaning. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, it's essential to maintain a factual tone, avoiding exaggeration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

budgets are tight

Replaces "stretched" with "tight", indicating a similar sense of limitation and constraint.

budgets are limited

Uses "limited" instead of "stretched", focusing on the restricted nature of the budget.

budgets are strained

Substitutes "stretched" with "strained", highlighting the pressure on the budget.

finances are stretched

Replaces "budgets" with "finances", broadening the scope to overall financial resources.

resources are stretched

Uses "resources" instead of "budgets", focusing on the broader availability of means.

funds are stretched

Substitutes "budgets" with "funds", referring specifically to monetary resources.

fiscal resources are limited

Combines "fiscal resources" with "limited", emphasizing the restricted financial aspect.

financial resources are strained

Combines "financial resources" with "strained", highlighting pressure on the finances.

funding is tight

Uses "funding" and "tight", referring specifically to the monetary aspect and its limitations.

money is tight

Simplifies to "money is tight", focusing on the general lack of available funds.

FAQs

What does "budgets are stretched" mean?

The phrase "budgets are stretched" means that available funds are being used to their maximum capacity and there is little or no room for additional expenses or unexpected costs.

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

You can use "budgets are stretched" to describe financial limitations. For example: "Due to increased operating costs, our "budgets are stretched" this year."

What can I say instead of "budgets are stretched"?

You can use alternatives like "budgets are tight", "budgets are limited", or "resources are stretched" depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "budgets are stretched" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and concise way to describe financial constraints. You can also use similar expressions like "fiscal resources are limited" for a more formal tone.