earmark

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earmark" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the act of designating something for a specific purpose, often in the context of funds or resources. Example: "The government decided to earmark a portion of the budget for education reform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I earmark two Post-it pads to throw out tomorrow, and I already know on the third day I'll throw out these old lint rollers and the cup with a chip on the rim.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The paper considers what happens when a local legislator attains seniority and improves his or her ability to deliver earmark spending, and concludes:Seniority shocks result in economically and statistically significant declines in firm capital expenditures.

The Economist

Though it must service and repay the debt it will raise to buy Vodafone, it will no longer have to earmark almost half of its earnings for its British shareholder.

The Economist

REPUBLICANS aren't sure they have the votes to pass an earmark ban in the lame-duck session of congress, and I for one could not care less.

The Economist

Although that did not break any rules, it prompted the biggest outcry about an earmark since the Alaskan contingent in Congress requested millions for a "bridge to nowhere".

The Economist

Again, there are good reasons why one might want to eliminate or curtail the earmark funding system.

The Economist

They want to solve specific problems in a specific way (rather than just earmark money for some vaguely benevolent purpose).

The Economist

The average state experiences a 40 to 50 percent increase in earmark spending if its senator becomes chair of one of the top-three committees.

The Economist

For years some have argued that the best way of getting around popular suspicion of taxation, and indeed government, is to earmark particular taxes for particular uses.

The Economist

and Mel Martinez (R-Fla)..... Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-Tex)., for instance, requested a $4 million earmark for Digital Fusion, a company whose executives have recently donated $18,000 to the lawmaker.

The Economist

Perhaps the most controversial of Mr Bush's proposals is one that would earmark $300m a year for programmes to boost marriage rates among the poor.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "earmark", be specific about what is being designated and for what purpose to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The city council decided to earmark $5 million for park improvements."

Common error

Avoid using "earmark" without clearly defining the intended use. For instance, instead of saying "The funds were earmarked", specify "The funds were earmarked for cancer research" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "earmark" is both as a transitive verb (to designate for a specific purpose) and as a noun (a designation for a specific purpose). Ludwig confirms its validity and offers numerous examples showcasing its usage in context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

23%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "earmark" is a commonly used term, functioning as both a verb and a noun, that signifies the designation of resources for a specific purpose. Predominantly found in news and formal business contexts, it carries a neutral to professional register. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is correct and provides ample examples of its use in context. While it is important to avoid vagueness and ensure that the intended use is clearly defined, "earmark" remains a useful and valid term for discussions related to resource allocation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allocate funds

Focuses specifically on the allocation of financial resources.

designate resources

Emphasizes the act of officially assigning resources.

set aside for

A more general term for reserving something.

allocate specifically

Highlights the specific nature of the allocation.

assign specifically

Focuses on the assignment with specific intent.

dedicate to

Implies a strong commitment to a specific purpose.

reserve exclusively

Stresses the exclusive nature of the reservation.

appropriate funds

Refers to the formal allocation of money.

allot for a purpose

Highlights the action of assigning for a specific aim.

ring-fence

Implies protection or isolation of funds for a defined use.

FAQs

How is "earmark" used in political contexts?

In politics, "earmark" often refers to funds allocated for specific projects, sometimes criticized as "pork barrel" spending.

What's the difference between "earmark" and "allocate"?

"Earmark" implies setting aside funds for a very specific purpose, whereas "allocate" is a more general term for distributing resources.

Can "earmark" be used in business settings?

Yes, in business, "earmark" can be used to describe setting aside a portion of the budget for a particular project or department. For example, "We "earmark funds" for research and development each year."

What are some synonyms for "earmark" when describing funds?

Synonyms include "designate", "set aside", and "appropriate", all of which imply allocating resources for a specific purpose.