curtail spending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "curtail spending" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to reduce or limit the amount of money being spent. Here are a few examples of how to use it: - "In order to save for our vacation, we need to curtail our spending on unnecessary items." - "The company has decided to curtail spending on employee benefits in order to cut costs." - "The government is considering ways to curtail spending in order to balance the budget." - "I have to curtail my spending on clothes this month in order to save up for a new car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Businesses are likely to curtail spending into 2009, he added.

The New York Times - Tech

The family home is still most Americans' biggest asset, so declining values destroy wealth and curtail spending.

The New York Times

Some economists are trimming their growth outlook for the this year, fearing that businesses and consumers will curtail spending.

The New York Times

Thomas Badgett, the current Medicaid medical director in Kentucky, predicts that the Lilly program will help curtail spending.

The New York Times

But after a series of embarrassing episodes, including the disclosure of the huge salaries paid to bureaucrats in the organization, the BBC was forced to curtail spending.

The New York Times

Confronted with higher fuel prices, consumers often curtail spending on manufactured goods or travel, which in turn can cool the broader economy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

During the recession, companies curtailed spending wherever they could, and mannequin sales slowed.

The New York Times

Donnelley's advertising sales have been hurt as companies have curtailed spending in a slowing economy.

The New York Times

Shoppers curtailed spending after they spent tax-credit checks mailed in July and August and concerns lingered about unemployment.

The New York Times

Start-up communications companies ran out of money to buy equipment, and more established service providers sharply curtailed spending.

The New York Times

In the wake of the real estate bubble and ensuing financial crisis, the private sector has curtailed spending to reduce debt and rebuild assets.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about financial strategies, ensure that you provide specific examples of how to "curtail spending" to increase the clarity and impact of your message.

Common error

Avoid using vague phrases like "reduce spending" without providing context. Instead, clearly state where and how the spending will be curtailed for a more effective communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "curtail spending" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate or part of the predicate in a sentence. It describes an action taken to reduce or limit expenditures. Ludwig confirms its active use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "curtail spending" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to express the reduction or limitation of expenses. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news and media, formal business contexts, and even scientific discussions. When using "curtail spending", consider providing specific examples to enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "reduce expenditure" or "limit outlays" can be used for variety or to suit different levels of formality. Remember to avoid vague statements; instead, clearly specify where and how spending will be curtailed. In conclusion, "curtail spending" is a valuable phrase for discussing financial strategies, economic adjustments, and budgetary planning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease expenses

Substitutes "curtail" with "decrease" and "spending" with "expenses", making it slightly less formal.

reduce expenditure

Replaces "spending" with the more formal "expenditure".

cut back on expenditures

Adds the phrasal verb "cut back on" for emphasis on reducing expenditures.

tighten budgets

Implies a stricter control over budgets to achieve reduced spending.

restrain expenses

Emphasizes the act of holding back or controlling spending.

limit outlays

Uses "outlays" instead of "spending", implying a more planned or controlled reduction.

control costs

Focuses on managing and keeping costs down, which results in curtailed spending.

economize on spending

Highlights the act of being economical or frugal with spending.

moderate spending

Suggests a gentle or gradual reduction in spending.

scale back spending

Implies a proportional reduction in spending, often in response to changing circumstances.

FAQs

What does "curtail spending" mean?

The phrase "curtail spending" means to reduce or limit the amount of money that is being spent. It implies a conscious effort to decrease expenses.

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

You can use "curtail spending" in a sentence like this: "The company decided to "curtail spending" on marketing due to budget constraints."

What are some alternatives to "curtail spending"?

Some alternatives to "curtail spending" include "reduce expenditure", "limit outlays", and "decrease expenses".

Is "curtail spending" formal or informal?

"Curtail spending" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, alternatives like "reduce expenditure" may be preferred in more formal settings.