currency reserves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "currency reserves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the amount of foreign currency held by a government or central bank as part of its financial assets. Example: "The country's currency reserves have increased significantly over the past year, providing a buffer against economic instability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Hard currency reserves are dwindling.

The New York Times

The depletion of currency reserves?

The New Yorker

Foreign currency reserves have also plunged.

The Guardian

Officials said it was needed to protect foreign currency reserves.

The New York Times

Foreign currency reserves are dwindling, and prices are rising.

The New York Times

With large foreign currency reserves, they were lenders, not borrowers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Foreign-currency reserves are strong.

The Economist

That in turn has eroded foreign-currency reserves.

The Economist

Meanwhile, Bolivia's foreign-currency reserves had risen to record levels.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These worries are probably overblown: the Russian government has built up very large foreign-currency reserves.

The New Yorker

Rich countries typically have foreign-currency reserves worth about 4% of their GDP.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Differentiate between gross and net "currency reserves" to provide a more accurate picture of a country's financial position.

Common error

Don't assume high "currency reserves" automatically indicate a strong economy; consider factors like debt levels and economic policies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "currency reserves" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying and describing the amount of foreign currency held by a central bank or government. This is supported by Ludwig and demonstrated in examples such as "Foreign currency reserves have also plunged".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "currency reserves" is a noun phrase widely used to describe a country's holdings of foreign currency. Ludwig confirms its correct usage and its prevalence in various contexts, including news reports, formal business discussions, and encyclopedic entries. The phrase serves to inform and report on financial stability and economic policies. While examples from Ludwig show its use across diverse source types, it's most frequently encountered in news and media, as well as business and formal contexts. When writing about "currency reserves", specify the currency and distinguish between gross and net values for greater accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foreign exchange reserves

This alternative is more specific, explicitly mentioning the 'foreign' nature of the currency.

exchange reserves

A shortened version of 'foreign exchange reserves'.

foreign currency holdings

Similar to 'foreign exchange reserves' but uses a slightly different word order.

monetary reserves

This is a broader term that includes other forms of monetary assets, not just currency.

official reserves

This term highlights the official or governmental nature of the reserves.

international reserves

This option emphasizes the international character of the reserves.

hard currency holdings

This alternative emphasizes the act of holding or possessing the currency.

national currency reserves

Highlights the national aspect of currency reserves.

reserve assets

A more general term referring to assets held by a central bank, including currency.

currency stockpiles

This term implies a large accumulation of currency.

FAQs

How are "currency reserves" used by a country?

"Currency reserves" can be used to stabilize a country's currency, pay off foreign debt, and finance imports. They act as a buffer against economic shocks.

What factors affect a country's "currency reserves"?

Trade balance, foreign investment, and government policies can significantly influence a country's "currency reserves". A trade surplus typically increases reserves, while a deficit decreases them.

What's the difference between "currency reserves" and "gold reserves"?

"Currency reserves" consist of foreign currencies held by a central bank, while "gold reserves" are holdings of gold. Both are part of a country's total reserve assets.

What are some alternatives to saying "currency reserves"?

You can use alternatives like "foreign exchange reserves", "monetary reserves", or "official reserves", depending on the context.