control spending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "control spending" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to budgeting, finance, or managing expenses. Example: "To improve our financial health, we need to control spending in all departments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Out of control spending?

The Guardian - Opinion

It does little to control spending.

The New York Times

"If they want to control spending, it didn't make a whole lot of sense".

The New York Times

Brazil's budget surplus rose to a record in March, reflecting the government's efforts to control spending.

The New York Times

They want to shrink the federal work force and control spending.

The New York Times

If you want to control a deficit you have to control spending.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unlike appropriations bills that control spending, a budget resolution simply states priorities.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Our poor children are going to pay the price for our out-of-control spending.

The New York Times

How did the party of fiscal responsibility become the party of out-of-control spending?

The Economist

"Tonight you showed that we're all ready to stop the out-of-control spending by Washington".

The New York Times

"The debt ceiling is the natural lever point to address the out-of-control spending and debt.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial strategy, use "control spending" to convey a deliberate effort to manage and limit expenses. For instance, in a business context, it suggests implementing policies to ensure responsible financial management.

Common error

While "control spending" implies management, avoid using it in contexts where investment or strategic expenditure is necessary for growth. Overly restricting spending can hinder progress, so consider the balance between control and investment.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "control spending" is a verb phrase acting as a command or directive, often used in discussions about financial management. Ludwig AI examples show it describing the act of managing and limiting financial resources. The phrase is about taking an action, an intent of governing something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "control spending" is a verb phrase widely used to advocate for or describe efforts to manage and limit expenses. Ludwig AI indicates that its usage is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media. The phrase is neutral in register and serves the purpose of addressing financial stability or reducing debt. When using "control spending", remember that it emphasizes active management, and while restricting spending is part of it, investment might be necessary for growth. Alternatives include "manage expenditures" and "reduce outlays".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manage expenditures

Focuses on the act of managing rather than strictly controlling spending.

reduce outlays

Emphasizes decreasing the amount of money spent.

curb expenditure

Implies restraining or limiting spending.

restrain spending

Suggests holding back or preventing excessive spending.

limit expenses

Highlights setting a maximum amount for spending.

regulate disbursements

Focuses on overseeing and managing the distribution of funds.

oversee finances

Implies a broader responsibility for financial management, including spending.

budget carefully

Focuses on the planning aspect of managing spending.

monitor cash flow

Emphasizes tracking and managing the movement of money.

balance the budget

Highlights achieving equilibrium between income and expenses.

FAQs

How can I use "control spending" in a sentence?

You can use "control spending" to discuss efforts to manage expenses, such as: "The government is trying to "control spending" and drafted a balanced budget." or "We need to "control spending" in order to reduce our debt."

What are some alternatives to "control spending"?

Alternatives include "manage expenditures", "reduce outlays", or "curb expenditure". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "control spending" or "reduce spending"?

"Control spending" implies a more comprehensive approach to financial management, while "reduce spending" focuses specifically on decreasing expenses. The better choice depends on whether you want to emphasize management or reduction.

What's the difference between "control spending" and "monitor spending"?

"Control spending" suggests actively managing and limiting expenses, whereas "monitor spending" implies tracking and observing expenses. Monitoring is a part of controlling, but controlling involves active intervention to manage costs.