finances are strained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "finances are strained" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing financial difficulties or challenges someone or an organization is facing. Example: "Due to the recent economic downturn, many families find that their finances are strained." Alternative expressions include "financial situation is tight" and "budget is under pressure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Medicare's finances are strained, and its coverage is outdated.

The New York Times

Public finances are strained: Standard & Poor's, a ratings agency, is mulling a sovereign-debt downgrade.

The Economist

"Government finances are strained and Nigeria is clearly at an economic crossroads".

The Guardian

California's state finances are strained, but the chances of a bond default by California or any other state are extremely low, according to Vanguard, which issued a report in January with the title "California Is Not Greece".

The New York Times

Bills to appropriate millions for the aid of special classes or industries are tossed into the House of Representatives, at the moment when federal finances are strained to the breaking point.

The New York Times

But next year, he said, elections will be held in the state, and the politicians do not need controversies like the bridge, particularly at a time when Germany's public finances are strained by the financial crisis in Greece.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

While Ms. Perez was out of work, household finances were strained.

The New York Times

This effort to salvage a dire real estate situation through very expensive government support was transpiring at an unfortunate juncture; the empire's finances were strained by a costly military commitment in a remote and clan-riven territory.

The New York Times

The family led a quiet and stable life together, though at times their finances were strained.

Wikipedia

At times their finances were strained, although they were able to afford a cook and a maid.

Wikipedia

The Yankees began cutting their roster's total salary in 1933, as their finances were strained by the Great Depression.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "finances are strained", clearly specify what entity's finances are strained (e.g., a family's, a company's, a government's) to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "finances are strained" without providing any indication of the underlying reasons, as this leaves the reader without a full understanding of the situation. Instead, mention factors such as economic downturns, unexpected expenses, or poor investment choices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finances are strained" primarily functions as a descriptive statement. It indicates a condition where financial resources are experiencing difficulty or pressure. The examples on Ludwig show its use across various contexts such as personal, governmental, and organizational finances. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "finances are strained" is a grammatically sound and neutrally-toned expression used to describe situations where financial resources are experiencing pressure or difficulty. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, followed by Wiki and Formal & Business contexts. While it is not an extremely common phrase, it is widely understood and can effectively convey financial hardship. To ensure clarity, it is best practice to specify whose finances are strained and provide context about the underlying causes. To avoid overgeneralization, always provide context. Related phrases, such as "budget is tight" or "funds are limited", can be used as alternatives depending on the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

financial resources are stretched

Replaces "strained" with "stretched", implying resources are being used to their limit.

budget is tight

Uses a more informal term, "tight", to describe a limited budget.

fiscal situation is under pressure

Employs more formal language, replacing "finances" with "fiscal situation" and "strained" with "under pressure".

funds are limited

Focuses on the limited availability of funds.

monetary resources are overextended

Replaces "finances" with "monetary resources" and "strained" with "overextended", suggesting resources have been pushed beyond their capacity.

cash flow is restricted

Concentrates on the limited availability of cash.

economic conditions are difficult

Shifts the focus to broader economic conditions causing the strain.

financial situation is precarious

Highlights the instability and potential danger of the financial state.

there's a financial crunch

Uses the term "crunch" to describe a sudden and severe financial problem.

we're experiencing financial hardship

Expresses the situation from a personal perspective, emphasizing the hardship experienced.

FAQs

How can I use "finances are strained" in a sentence?

You can use "finances are strained" to describe situations where financial resources are under pressure. For example: "Due to rising inflation, household "finances are strained"."

What are some alternative phrases to "finances are strained"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "budget is tight", "funds are limited", or "financial situation is precarious" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "finances are strained" or "finances are stretched"?

Both phrases are appropriate, but "finances are stretched" ("financial resources are stretched") suggests that resources are being used to their maximum capacity, while "finances are strained" implies more general difficulty or pressure.

What is the difference between saying "finances are strained" and "finances are under strain"?

"Finances are strained" describes a current state of difficulty, while "finances are under strain" ("finances are under strain") emphasizes that forces are acting to cause financial problems. The first one is more neutral and refers to a state of being while the second one refers to a state of becoming.