built up a surplus of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "built up a surplus of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the accumulation of excess resources, funds, or goods over a period of time. Example: "After several successful quarters, the company has built up a surplus of cash that can be reinvested into new projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Osborne neglected to mention that the palace has built up a surplus of civil list cash that will allow them to increase their spending over the next year regardless of Treasury belt-tightening.

The Guardian - Opinion

Since 1978, the year the first successful IVF baby was born, U.S. clinics alone have built up a surplus of more than 400,000 frozen embryos, according to a 2003 study by Rand, a nonprofit think tank in Santa Monica, CA. Clinics preserve more than 90percentt of these frozen embryos in case couples want to try for additional pregnancies.

MIT Technology Review

He said: "Even if you look back to the previous board, before I was involved, they could've battened down the hatches, they could've cut expenses, they could've got rid of the Lloyds debt themselves, they could've built up a surplus of cash to deal with the tax case.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"The issues facing us are, do you close the schoolhouse door to 4-year-olds because the governor is running for re-election next year and wants to build up a surplus of funds that he can spend in an election year?" the Assembly speaker, Sheldon Silver, said.

The New York Times

But there are still uncertainties in the market because companies were encouraged to build up a surplus of permits and no one is entirely sure how many they will ultimately need.

Los Angeles Times

It has limited spending and moved to increase revenues, a classic prescription when an economy is ailing, and has built up a surplus twice the size of what the fund had asked before negotiations were put on hold several months ago.

The New York Times

Instead of trying to build up a surplus to help pay for the retirement of the boomers, the President would cut into future tax revenues by making his tax cuts permanent.

The New Yorker

This year, Mr. Silver has accused Mr. Pataki of grossly underestimating revenues to build up a surplus he could spend during his re-election bid.

The New York Times

Because not all containers the state receives nickels for wind up in recycling, the state builds up a surplus.

Los Angeles Times

In New York, former Democratic Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman dropped a planned challenge to Republican Sen. Alphonse M. D'Amato, who built up a cash surplus of $4.2 million during 1985.

Los Angeles Times

A recurring theme of the criticism involved the financial costs of the war at a time when Iraq has built up a budget surplus fueled by high oil prices.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider varying your vocabulary by using synonyms like "accumulated" or "amassed" to avoid repetition and enhance your writing's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "built up a surplus of" when you actually mean "generated a profit". A surplus represents an excess of resources, while profit specifically refers to financial gain after expenses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "built up a surplus of" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of accumulating something in excess. Ludwig AI provides examples showing its use in describing financial situations and resource management.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "built up a surplus of" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for describing the accumulation of excess resources, most commonly in financial contexts. Ludwig AI analysis, based on numerous examples from authoritative sources, indicates that it's most frequently found in news and media reporting, though usage extends to business and scientific domains. The phrase implies a positive outcome, often related to financial stability or strategic resource management. While grammatically sound, consider alternatives like "accumulated" or "amassed" for variety in your writing. Ludwig's AI confirms that "built up a surplus of" is a valid and useful phrase, particularly in formal or professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accumulated a surplus of

Replaces "built up" with "accumulated", emphasizing the gradual gathering of the surplus.

amassed a surplus of

Uses "amassed" instead of "built up", suggesting a large accumulation.

created a surplus of

Focuses on the act of generating the surplus, rather than just accumulating it.

generated a surplus of

Similar to "created", but emphasizes production and output leading to a surplus.

established a surplus of

Highlights the setting up or formation of a surplus.

developed a surplus of

Suggests a process of growth and expansion leading to the surplus.

acquired a surplus of

Focuses on obtaining the surplus through various means.

compiled a surplus of

Emphasizes the collection and organization of the surplus.

racked up a surplus of

Suggests a less formal, often rapid, accumulation of the surplus.

garnered a surplus of

Implies gathering a surplus through effort or merit.

FAQs

What does "built up a surplus of" mean?

It means accumulating an excess of something, usually resources or money, over a period of time.

How can I use "built up a surplus of" in a sentence?

Example: "The company "built up a surplus of" cash reserves due to increased sales."

What are some alternatives to "built up a surplus of"?

You can use alternatives like "accumulated a surplus of", "amassed a surplus of", or "created a surplus of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "built up a deficit" instead of "built up a surplus of"?

No, "built up a deficit" is used when liabilities or debts are accumulated. "Built up a surplus of" indicates an excess of assets, not liabilities.