financial drain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "financial drain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or entity that is causing a significant loss of money or resources. Example: "The ongoing maintenance of the old building has become a financial drain on the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But even when I worked my way into better jobs and should have been financially secure, I still couldn't seem to stop circling the financial drain.

The Guardian - Opinion

Muni managers are aware of the financial drain of all those 311 calls.

The New York Times

On top of that, the team itself has become a financial drain.

The New Yorker

Then I wouldn't have all this time, effort, and financial drain wearing me down.

University of California, Berkeley

Living up to your own artistic ambitions can be a financial drain too.

The Guardian

For many people, that punctured the argument that recycling was a big financial drain.

The New York Times

The real financial drain on the current Cup campaign budgets is not hardware, but talent.

The New York Times - Sports

"I've never thought about this as anything but a financial drain," he said.

The New York Times - Food

The filing will end much of the financial drain that People Express suffered.

The New York Times

He moved out amid health problems and a financial drain, and ended up at the Chelsea.

The New York Times

Clearly, however, many families are still being sucked into the swirling financial drain that leads to homelessness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "financial drain", clearly specify what is causing the loss of money or resources to provide context for the reader. For example, instead of saying 'The project was a financial drain', specify 'The project's cost overruns made it a financial drain on the company'.

Common error

Avoid using "financial drain" without clarifying what exactly is causing the financial loss. Simply stating something is a "financial drain" without context leaves the reader wondering about the specifics and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "financial drain" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes something that depletes resources. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, from personal finance to organizational budgets, in line with Ludwig AI's assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "financial drain" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe something that causes a significant loss of money or resources. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and the examples provided show it is used across various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and science. While similar phrases exist, such as "monetary burden" or "fiscal strain", "financial drain" specifically highlights the depleting nature of the expense. When using the phrase, it is important to clearly identify the source of the "financial drain" to provide sufficient context. Overall, "financial drain" is a useful term for discussing financial challenges and identifying areas for improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

financial burden

Focuses on the responsibility and weight of financial obligations.

monetary burden

Focuses specifically on the monetary aspect of the burden, suggesting a heavy cost.

economic burden

Emphasizes the broader economic impact rather than just a financial one.

fiscal strain

Highlights the pressure or stress on financial resources.

cash flow problem

Indicates difficulties in managing the flow of money.

revenue loss

Focuses on the decrease in income or earnings.

budget deficit

Specifies that spending exceeds income, creating a shortfall.

costly expense

Highlights the high cost associated with something.

liability

Implies a legal or financial obligation that results in expenditure.

economic liability

Draws attention to long-term debt or financial weakness of a company or country.

FAQs

How can I use "financial drain" in a sentence?

You can use "financial drain" to describe something that is causing a loss of money or resources. For example, "The upkeep of the old building became a significant "financial drain" on the company's budget."

What are some alternatives to "financial drain"?

Alternatives to "financial drain" include "monetary burden", "economic burden", or "fiscal strain", depending on the specific context.

Is "financial drain" a negative term?

Yes, "financial drain" is generally a negative term used to describe something that is causing a significant loss of money or resources. It implies a burden or undesirable expense.

What's the difference between "financial drain" and "investment"?

"Financial drain" implies a loss of money without a corresponding return, whereas "investment" suggests that money is being spent with the expectation of future profit or benefit. A badly managed investment can become a "financial drain".