decrease spending

USAGE SUMMARY

"decrease spending" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to the act of reducing or cutting back on expenses. Example: In order to save money, the government plans to decrease spending on public programs and services.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

One would be to decrease spending on relatively wealthy suburban areas that are the governor's base of support.

The New York Times

Democrats, who controlled the most seats, blocked efforts to decrease spending.

Independent

Ryan's budget, Taylor claims, offers reforms that enable us to significantly decrease spending on these programs.

The New York Times

Mr. Pataki left his budget plans vague, saying only that he would hold the line on spending and would decrease spending from the general fund.

The New York Times

"We will continue to press this with the company to get other shareholders on board, to continue to ask the company to take action and decrease spending on these projects," she said.

The Guardian

Then, sounding a bit like the Wall Streeter she was, she said, "I just think in an economic crisis, sales taxes are a really flawed way of generating revenue because sales taxes decrease spending".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

They decrease spend, thereby increasing their profit margin on their movies that hit, and reach a broader global audience simply by using numbers and predictive analytics to focus their messaging and grow their odds for success.

TechCrunch

Despite decreased spending, Mr. Mulva said, the company was largely committed to its major, multiyear projects.

The New York Times

As for factory orders, decreased spending on computers and semiconductors held them down in July.

The New York Times

In the top 10, Pfizer increased spending the most, by 38.2percentt, and DaimlerChrysler decreased spending the most, by 23.6percentt.

The New York Times

The distinction can also cause a lot of confusion as to whether governments have actually increased or decreased spending.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial planning or policy, be specific about how spending will be decreased. Mentioning specific areas or percentages adds clarity and strength to your argument.

Common error

Avoid simply stating the need to "decrease spending" without detailing the plan. Explain which areas will be affected, and what alternative resource allocation strategies will be employed. Add clear, actionable information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decrease spending" functions primarily as a verbal phrase, often used as a noun modifier or within a clause to express the intention, action, or result of reducing financial expenditures. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a grammatically correct expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decrease spending" is a grammatically sound phrase that effectively conveys the concept of reducing financial outlays. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage. While adaptable across various contexts, it benefits from specific details about how and where spending will be reduced. Semantically related phrases, such as ""reduce expenditure"" and "cut back on spending", offer alternative wording to tailor your message. Its widespread use across reputable sources makes it a valuable addition to economic and financial discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reduce expenditure

Emphasizes a formal reduction in outlays; slightly more formal than "decrease spending".

Cut back on spending

Indicates a more immediate and potentially temporary reduction in outlays.

Lower expenses

Focuses on the outcome of reduced financial burden.

Curtail outlays

Suggests strict limitations on financial distributions.

Scale back expenditures

Implies a gradual reduction in expenses.

Trim spending

Suggests small, targeted cuts in specific areas.

Economize on expenses

Implies careful and efficient use of resources to reduce costs.

Conserve funds

Highlights the preservation of financial resources.

Retrench financially

Emphasizes a defensive position, reducing spending in response to economic challenges.

Tighten the purse strings

An idiomatic expression suggesting strict control over expenses.

FAQs

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

You can use "decrease spending" to describe efforts to reduce financial outlays. For example, "The company aims to decrease spending on marketing next quarter."

What's a more formal way to say "decrease spending"?

A more formal alternative to "decrease spending" is to "reduce expenditure", which is often used in official reports and financial analyses.

What are some strategies to "decrease spending" in a business?

Strategies might include streamlining operations, negotiating better rates with suppliers, or "cutting back on spending" for non-essential items.

Is there a difference between "decrease spending" and "increase saving"?

"Decrease spending" focuses on reducing expenses, while "increase saving" highlights the action of accumulating funds. They are related, as decreasing spending can lead to increased saving, but they emphasize different aspects of financial management.