cost overruns

USAGE SUMMARY

"cost overruns" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to the situation when actual costs exceed the estimated costs of a project or activity. For example: "The company was forced to suspend the construction project due to multiple cost overruns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Billions in cost overruns.

The New York Times

The Falcons will cover any cost overruns.

The New York Times

Cost overruns now total $1 billion.

The New York Times

Cost overruns were twice the project estimate.

The New York Times

When cost overruns occurred, he covered them.

The New York Times - Magazine

7) Who pays for cost overruns?

The Washington Post

How do you prevent cost overruns?

The New York Times

It's not about cost overruns and multiyear delays.

Harvard University

But cost overruns and a tunnel collapse strained local patience.

The Economist

The efforts were plagued with technical flaws and cost overruns.

The New York Times

Shell's huge cost overruns have annoyed the Russian government.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing projects facing financial difficulties, clearly quantify the "cost overruns" to provide context and emphasize the severity of the situation.

Common error

Don't assume that delays automatically mean "cost overruns". While delays often contribute to increased expenses, be sure to confirm that the project's budget has actually been exceeded before using the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cost overruns" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a situation where project expenses have exceeded the initial budget. According to Ludwig, it's a perfectly acceptable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cost overruns" is a common noun phrase used to describe situations where the actual expenses of a project exceed the initial budget. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It's most frequently found in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts, indicating its relevance across diverse fields. When writing about "cost overruns", it's crucial to quantify the excess spending and distinguish it from simple delays or planned budget increases. Alternatives like "budget deficits" or "unexpected expenses" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over-budget spending

Directly indicates spending that exceeds the budget.

budget blowouts

Indicates a large and sudden increase in costs beyond the budget.

excess spending

Focuses on the act of spending more than allocated.

budget deficits

Focuses on the shortfall in available funds compared to planned expenditures.

inflated costs

Suggests that the prices of goods or services increased substantially.

unexpected expenses

Highlights the unforeseen nature of the increased costs.

increased expenditure

A more formal way of saying more money was spent.

financial miscalculations

Emphasizes errors in the initial financial planning.

unforeseen outlays

Highlights the unexpected nature of the expenses incurred.

shortfalls

Emphasizes the lack of sufficient funds to cover the expenses.

FAQs

How can I use "cost overruns" in a sentence?

You can use "cost overruns" to describe situations where the actual expenses of a project exceed the initial budget. For example, "The project suffered significant "cost overruns" due to unforeseen engineering challenges."

What are some alternative phrases for "cost overruns"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "budget deficits", "unexpected expenses", or "excess spending" to convey a similar meaning.

Are "cost overruns" always negative?

Yes, "cost overruns" generally have a negative connotation, indicating financial mismanagement or unforeseen problems that have led to increased expenses. However, they can sometimes be unavoidable due to circumstances beyond control.

What's the difference between ""cost overruns"" and a budget increase?

"Cost overruns" refer to expenses exceeding the original budget, usually unexpectedly. A budget increase, on the other hand, is a planned and approved adjustment to the initial budget, often to accommodate anticipated changes or new requirements.