every cent counts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every cent counts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the importance of small amounts of money, particularly in budgeting or fundraising contexts. Example: "In our efforts to support the local charity, remember that every cent counts, so please donate whatever you can."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Perhaps the most annoying are the organizations that send a nickel to demonstrate the fact that every cent counts.

The New York Times

And in an economy wherein the entertainment dollar is rapidly shrinking -- every cent counts.

Huffington Post

Every cent counts for budget travelers, and the internet is full of helpful tips for saving money.

Huffington Post

Every cent counts during tough times.

WikiHow

Every cent counts and if it's not in your savings or being churned back into your business, it's in someone else's pocket.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This is the erotic thriller he shot with $250,000£150,00000) raised through Kickstarter – making every cent count.

The Guardian - Film

Meanwhile, earning a penny or two every time you spend a dollar in 2009, say by putting more of your expenses on a card that earns money back, is another way to make every cent count when times are tough.

The New York Times

Still, every penny counts.

Forbes

Still, some rich New Yorkers already face a marginal tax rate of close to fifty per cent, counting federal, state, and city levies.

The New Yorker

Especially in your days on Facebook when you see every second mate on some amazing holiday and you're at home counting every cent," he says.

The Guardian

With a combined monthly income of $1,500, they count every cent paid for the gasoline they use to drive to the doctor a few times a week.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the need for donations or careful budgeting, use "every cent counts" to highlight that even small amounts are valuable and contribute to the overall goal.

Common error

While "every cent counts" is a useful phrase, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "every penny matters" or "every little bit helps."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every cent counts" functions as an idiomatic expression used to emphasize the importance of even the smallest amounts of money or effort. Ludwig AI confirms it is suitable for written English. This phrase is often used to encourage saving or donating, highlighting that seemingly insignificant contributions can accumulate and have a significant impact.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "every cent counts" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to highlight the significance of even small amounts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, especially in contexts related to finance, fundraising, and budgeting. While it's a valuable phrase, be mindful of overuse and consider using related phrases like "every penny counts" or "every little bit helps" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every penny counts

Replaces "cent" with "penny", a common synonym, without altering the core meaning.

every little bit helps

Shifts the focus to the helpfulness of small contributions rather than the monetary value.

every penny makes a difference

Highlights the impact of even the smallest amounts of money.

every dollar counts

Substitutes "cent" with "dollar", scaling up the monetary unit while retaining the emphasis on value.

every contribution matters

Broadens the scope to include non-monetary contributions, emphasizing their significance.

small things add up

Focuses on the cumulative effect of small actions or amounts.

every coin is valuable

Emphasizes the inherent worth of each individual coin.

even a little helps a lot

Highlights the disproportionate impact of small contributions.

each contribution is significant

Emphasizes the importance of each individual contribution, regardless of size.

no amount is too small

Encourages even the smallest donations or contributions by negating the perception of insignificance.

FAQs

What does "every cent counts" mean?

The phrase "every cent counts" means that even small amounts of money or effort are valuable and should not be overlooked, especially in situations where resources are limited or the goal requires collective effort.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "every cent counts"?

It's appropriate to use "every cent counts" when you want to emphasize the importance of thriftiness, encourage small donations, or highlight the cumulative effect of seemingly insignificant contributions. This phrase is very effective in fundraising campaigns or during discussions about budgeting.

What are some alternatives to "every cent counts"?

You can use alternatives like "every penny counts", "every little bit helps", or "every contribution matters" depending on the context.

How can I use "every cent counts" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "We're trying to raise money for a new school playground, so remember, every cent counts!" It's used to reinforce the idea that even small donations are appreciated and can make a difference.