fiscal strain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fiscal strain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe financial pressure or stress experienced by an individual, organization, or government. Example: "The recent economic downturn has led to significant fiscal strain on many local governments, forcing them to cut services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

That has come with minimal fiscal strain.

The New York Times

As the baby-boomers hit retirement age, the fiscal strain will grow.

The Economist

In a time of fiscal strain and rising need, where will the money come from?

The New York Times

People are going to have to pay more out of their pockets at a time of fiscal strain.

The New York Times

In addition, national exchequers may start to feel some measure of the fiscal strain now hobbling California.

The Economist

In this time of fiscal strain, Americans can find some savings by simply looking in their purses and pockets.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The fiscal strains produced by the euro crisis have changed all that.

The Economist

The fiscal strains extend to judges, who face pressure to keep dockets moving.

The New York Times

He also said that "fiscal strains associated with the crisis in Europe have increased since earlier in the year".

The New York Times

Though Kansas and its capital city have fared better than much of the country in this struggling economy, they are not immune to fiscal strains.

The New York Times

Maine has faced dire fiscal strains and painful cuts during his first term and suffers one of the highest tax burdens in the country.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing government finances, use "fiscal strain" to specifically highlight pressure on public funds, as opposed to general "economic difficulties".

Common error

Avoid using "fiscal strain" when referring to physical exertion or stress; reserve it exclusively for financial contexts. "Physical strain" or "exertion" are more appropriate terms for physical stress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fiscal strain" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig, it correctly and effectively describes financial pressure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fiscal strain" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes financial pressure or stress, particularly on governments or organizations. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. The term appears most frequently in news and media contexts, making it suitable for discussions about economics, politics, and public finance. Consider alternatives like "financial burden" or "budgetary stress" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. It is important to distinguish "fiscal strain" (financial) from "physical strain" (bodily exertion). Its prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist underscores its credibility and appropriateness in formal discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

budgetary stress

Replaces "fiscal" with "budgetary" and "strain" with "stress", focusing specifically on budget-related difficulties.

financial burden

Replaces "strain" with "burden", emphasizing the weight or onus of financial difficulty.

financial hardship

Emphasizes the difficulty and suffering caused by financial problems.

economic pressure

Broadens the scope to include general economic difficulties, not just those related to government or organizations' finances.

financial instability

Highlights the lack of security and predictability in financial matters.

economic difficulty

A more general term for financial or economic problems.

revenue shortfall

Focuses specifically on the lack of sufficient income or revenue.

economic downturn

Refers to a decline in economic activity, often leading to fiscal problems.

budget deficit

Focuses on the specific situation where expenses exceed income in a budget.

financial woes

Uses a more informal term to describe financial troubles or difficulties.

FAQs

How can I use "fiscal strain" in a sentence?

You can use "fiscal strain" to describe situations where there is pressure on finances, such as "The economic crisis put a significant "fiscal strain" on the government's budget".

What's a good alternative to "fiscal strain"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "fiscal strain" include "financial burden", "budgetary stress", or "economic pressure".

Is "fiscal strain" the same as "economic strain"?

"Fiscal strain" specifically relates to the financial health of a government or organization, while "economic strain" can refer to broader economic difficulties affecting individuals, businesses, or entire economies.

When is it appropriate to use the term "fiscal strain"?

Use "fiscal strain" when you want to emphasize the financial pressures or difficulties faced by governments, organizations, or entities managing budgets. It's suitable when discussing budget deficits, funding cuts, or economic crises impacting public finances.