economical

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "economical" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when talking about a situation where money is being saved, or when referring to something that is cost-effective. For example: "We decided to purchase the economical model, which will save us money in the long run."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A triumph-over-adversity tale about John Nash, a real-life mathematician and paranoid schizophrenic who in 1994 won a Nobel prize in economics, it has commanding performances from Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly, and an inspiring script by Akiva Goldsman (even if it is economical with the truth and the economics).

The Economist

In one sense this hardly seems newsworthy, but it is telling that even economists think that F Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece offers the most resonant (and economical) shorthand for the problems of social mobility, economic inequality and class antagonism that we face today.

The Guardian - Books

I have been involved in a few political crises in my time and have always come out on top by bullying people, shouting a lot and being entirely economical with the truth.

The Guardian - Books

Tillerson repeated his long-held view that renewable energy is not economical yet, adding, "We choose not to lose money on purpose".

The Guardian - Business

Raymond Carver (1976) Possibly the most economical short story writer in this list, Carver, with his precise, punchy prose, conveys in a few words what many novelists take several pages to elucidate.

The Guardian

Fitzgerald had much to say about the failure of this dream, and the fraudulences that sustain it – but his insights are not all contained within the economical pages of his greatest novel.

The Guardian - Books

When one man questions his use of violence (in any form – physical, verbal, emotional, or economical), it is proof that people can change.

The Guardian

The famously unfettered Conservative minister Alan Clark refashioned that formula later, putting it up a notch or two in the mendacity league by telling the Matrix Churchill hearing on arms sales to Iraq that in answering parliamentary questions he'd been "economical with the actualité" – an answer honest enough to cause the trial to collapse.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was a classic case of a PR being economical with the truth.

The Guardian

Andesmar, Condor, Don Otto and El Pinguino operate comfortable, economical long-distance buses to the main towns (Buenos Aires to Puerto Madryn costs from £70).

The Guardian - Travel

For example, less domestic violence, more women in the political and economical arenas in leadership positions, more fathers who work and are actively engaged in household chores and child care.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing products or services, use "economical" to highlight the savings or value provided to the consumer. For example, "This car is an economical choice for city driving."

Common error

Avoid using "economical" when "economic" is more appropriate. "Economical" refers to thriftiness and efficiency, while "economic" refers to the economy or financial systems. Instead of saying "The economical impact was significant", say "The economic impact was significant".

Linguistic Context

The word "economical" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that is cost-effective, efficient, or thrifty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes savings or value for money.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "economical" is a versatile adjective indicating cost-effectiveness or efficiency. As Ludwig AI states, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Its usage spans various contexts from news and media to business and science, highlighting its relevance in discussions about value and resource management. While alternatives like "cost-effective" or "thrifty" exist, the core meaning remains consistent. Just remember to differentiate it from "economic", which pertains to the broader financial system. With a source quality score of 88 and an expert rating of 4.6, "economical" stands as a reliable term for expressing financial prudence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cost-effective

Focuses on the relationship between cost and effectiveness or benefit.

thrifty

Emphasizes careful and efficient use of resources to avoid waste.

frugal

Highlights the avoidance of unnecessary expenditure.

budget-friendly

Directly relates to fitting within a specific budget.

sparing

Suggests using something in small quantities to make it last longer.

prudent

Implies wisdom and careful planning in resource management.

resourceful

Highlights the ability to find clever ways to overcome difficulties, including financial ones.

economizing

Focuses on the act of reducing expenditure.

efficient

Highlights the avoidance of wasting materials, time, or energy.

low-cost

Directly refers to having a low price.

FAQs

How can I use "economical" in a sentence?

You can use "economical" to describe something that provides good value for money or saves resources. For example, "Using public transport is an economical way to travel" or "This new engine is more economical than the old one".

What are some alternatives to "economical"?

Alternatives to "economical" include "cost-effective", "thrifty", "frugal", or "budget-friendly", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "economical" and "economic"?

"Economical" means thrifty or cost-saving, while "economic" relates to the economy or financial matters. For example, an "economical" car uses less fuel, while an "economic" crisis affects the financial stability of a region.

Is it correct to say something is "economical with the truth"?

Yes, the expression "economical with the truth" is an idiom meaning to be deliberately vague or misleading without technically lying. It's often used in formal or political contexts.