closing the deficit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "closing the deficit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to finance, economics, or budgeting, where one aims to reduce or eliminate a financial shortfall. Example: "The government is implementing new policies aimed at closing the deficit by the end of the fiscal year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Closing the deficit, in any event, was the easy part.

The New York Times - Magazine

Unless it grows rapidly, its people will demand fewer imports, closing the deficit.

The Economist

By that measure, only closing the deficit to five points is not a very impressive result for Mr. Romney.

The New York Times

But the consequences of closing the deficit simply through cutbacks will be felt by more than the poor.

The Washington Post

Burkhauser, Richard V. "Comments on Nudged, Pushed or Mugged: Policies to Encourage". Gary Burtless and Henry J. Aaron (eds)., Closing the Deficit: How Much Can Later Retirement Help?

Cornell University

Few things more powerfully illuminate the difference in values and philosophy between our two parties than these two approaches to closing the deficit by 2017-18.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

The Knicks had closed the deficit to 3 points.

The New York Times - Sports

"Ed Miliband promised a plan to close the deficit.

The Guardian

The Jets had closed the deficit to 17-14, but would get no closer.

The New York Times - Sports

Desperate state officials are looking to borrow the money to close the deficit.

The New York Times

Coach Jeff Fisher decided to take the field goal to close the deficit to a point.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic policy, use "closing the deficit" to specifically denote actions aimed at reducing a government's financial shortfall. This term is widely understood and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "closing the deficit" interchangeably with reducing national debt. The deficit is the annual shortfall, while debt is the accumulated total of past deficits. Focus on actions affecting the current budget when using this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closing the deficit" functions primarily as a verbal phrase acting as a gerund or present participle within a larger sentence structure. It often describes an ongoing action or a goal-oriented process related to financial management, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "closing the deficit" is a commonly used phrase that refers to reducing or eliminating a financial shortfall, particularly in government budgets. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Its usage is most frequent in news and media, academia, and formal business contexts. When writing about economics or finance, it's crucial to differentiate between the deficit (annual shortfall) and debt (accumulated deficits) to avoid errors. Remember that using this phrase indicates an active, ongoing effort to manage financial imbalances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reducing the deficit

Uses a different verb with similar meaning.

Eliminating the deficit

Emphasizes complete removal rather than gradual reduction.

Deficit reduction

Nominalized form focusing on the action of reducing the deficit.

Balancing the budget

Implies that income equals expenses, not just reducing the deficit.

Addressing the shortfall

Uses a more general term for deficit, focusing on resolving the issue.

Rectifying the imbalance

Highlights the imbalance in finances and the act of fixing it.

Correcting the fiscal deficit

Focuses on correcting financial issues.

Mitigating the deficit

Suggests lessening the impact of the deficit.

Tackling the debt

Shifts focus to debt management as a way of reducing the deficit.

Alleviating the fiscal strain

Focuses on reducing the pressure caused by financial difficulty.

FAQs

What does "closing the deficit" mean?

The phrase "closing the deficit" refers to the actions taken to reduce or eliminate a financial shortfall, typically in a government's budget. It involves strategies to increase revenue and decrease expenditures.

How can I use "closing the deficit" in a sentence?

You might say, "The government is implementing new policies aimed at "closing the deficit" by the end of the fiscal year." It describes the act of addressing and reducing the financial gap.

What are some alternatives to saying "closing the deficit"?

You can use alternatives like "reducing the deficit", "eliminating the deficit", or "balancing the budget" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "closing the deficit" or "deficit reduction"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""closing the deficit"" emphasizes the process of reducing the deficit, while "deficit reduction" refers to the general goal or strategy. The choice depends on the specific context and emphasis you want to convey.