external surplus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "external surplus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to economics, finance, or resource management to describe a surplus that exists outside of a particular system or entity. Example: "The country reported an external surplus, indicating that it exported more goods and services than it imported."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Its huge external surplus has almost halved.

The Economist

The euro area is doing its best to raise its external surplus.

The Economist

In China, supression of external demand through financial repression and currency manipulation is offset by a large external surplus.

The Economist

Conversely, domestically oriented economies, particularly those with an external deficit or a shrinking external surplus, will remain under the spotlight.

The New York Times

China still has a large external surplus, so using the same logic how can it now be fuelling world inflation?

The Economist

But Japan's saving rate has been falling for years, so why did the external surplus still loom large until last year?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

As a result, the country's external surpluses are rising.

The Economist

In some countries with big external surpluses, notably China, the opposite may be true.

The Economist

Strong export prices resulted in sustainable external surpluses, and prudent fiscal management ensured internal balance.

The Economist

Over time, more mature financial systems will allow higher spending and their external surpluses will disappear.

The Economist

This time, however, oil exporters seem to be spending less, instead running larger external surpluses, repaying debts and building up assets.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a country's economic health, clarify whether the "external surplus" refers to the trade balance, current account, or another specific measure to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "external surplus" when you actually mean an internal budget surplus. "External surplus" specifically refers to international trade and financial flows.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "external surplus" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI states, it's correct and usable in English, often describing an economic condition.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "external surplus" is a grammatically correct and usable term in English, though relatively uncommon, particularly within economic and financial contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it generally refers to a situation where a country's exports exceed its imports, leading to a positive balance. While often used interchangeably with "trade surplus", it can encompass other international financial flows. The term's usage is most prevalent in news and media, with a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, it's important to be clear about which measure of international balance you are referencing to ensure clarity. "Trade surplus", "current account surplus", or "foreign trade surplus" may be more appropriate depending on the particular situation being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foreign trade surplus

Focuses specifically on the surplus derived from international trade activities.

current account surplus

Refers to a surplus in the current account balance of a country's balance of payments.

trade balance surplus

Emphasizes the surplus in the trade balance, the difference between exports and imports.

export surplus

Highlights the excess of exports over imports.

positive trade balance

Indicates a favorable trade situation with exports exceeding imports.

international surplus

Broader term encompassing surpluses in various international transactions.

favorable balance of trade

Describes a trade situation where a country exports more than it imports.

net export surplus

Specifies that the surplus is calculated after deducting imports from exports.

surplus in external accounts

Highlights the surplus within a nation's financial interactions with other countries.

excess of exports

Directly states that exports are higher than imports, creating a surplus.

FAQs

How to use "external surplus" in a sentence?

You can use "external surplus" to describe a situation where a country's exports exceed its imports, resulting in a positive balance of trade. For instance: "The country's strong export sector led to a significant "external surplus" this year."

What's the difference between "external surplus" and "trade surplus"?

"Trade surplus" is often used interchangeably with "external surplus", but the latter can encompass more than just trade. While "trade surplus" specifically refers to the difference between exports and imports, "external surplus" can include other international financial flows.

What can I say instead of "external surplus"?

You can use alternatives like "foreign trade surplus", "current account surplus", or "positive trade balance" depending on the specific context.

Which is more common, "external surplus" or "trade surplus"?

"Trade surplus" is generally more commonly used than "external surplus" when referring specifically to the balance of trade. "External surplus" is used in the more inclusive scenarios of foreign accounting and finance.