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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
funding flat
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "funding flat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where funding levels remain unchanged or stagnant over a period of time. Example: "The organization's budget report indicated that funding flat for the upcoming year would limit our ability to expand programs."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(6)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
5 human-written examples
The measure would also hold funding flat for DOE's Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy (ARPA-E), at $280 million.
Science & Research
The agency is holding AIDS funding flat this year at the 2015 level of $3 billion and expects to keep it there in 2017 (p. 3 here).
Science & Research
EPA called for a 58% hike in funding for that program last year, from $21.4 million to $33.8 million, but Congress kept its funding flat instead.
Science & Research
She added: "With funding flat lining and the demand for £20bn in so-called efficiency savings, is it any wonder that the there is potentially a funding gap? "Realistic levels of funding and a more integrated approach between health and social care is the way forward".
News & Media
Education advocates say that keeping funding flat for public schools like Livingston means that districts can't maintain current staff and programs, given enrollment growth and rising fixed costs.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
52 human-written examples
With President Obama planning to freeze the budget and Congress looking for cuts, the department could be deprived of a $160 million budget increase, keeping its annual funds flat at $1.1 billion.
News & Media
The market in 1973 to 1974 dropped a good 40% and caught every institution and corporate pension fund flat footed.
News & Media
The Institutes of Health would see its funding remain flat while it absorbed the work of three agencies from the Department of Health and Human Services.
News & Media
The bill throws NASA's planetary programs a lifeline and gives the National Science Foundation a bit of a boost, but the National Institutes of Health's funding stays flat at 2012 levels bad news for biomedical research.
Science & Research
In the first six months of this year, most funds were flat or slightly positive: the CSFB/Tremont investible hedge-fund index is up a touch over 1% so far this year.
News & Media
Last year, his funds were flat.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When discussing budgets, clarify the base year or period to which the "funding flat" refers for better understanding. For example, "funding flat compared to 2024 levels".
Common error
Avoid using "funding flat" when you actually mean a shortage or absence of funding. "Funding flat" indicates that the funding level remains the same, whereas a lack of funding implies insufficient or no funds available.
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "funding flat" functions as a noun phrase where "funding" is the noun and "flat" acts as an adjective describing the state of the funding. As evidenced by Ludwig, it often modifies budgetary or financial discussions.
Frequent in
Science
50%
News & Media
50%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the term "funding flat" is a noun phrase used to describe a situation where funding remains at the same level. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness, although its occurrence is relatively rare. Predominantly found in science and news contexts, it conveys budgetary consistency and can imply financial limitations. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the period of comparison and avoid confusing it with a lack of funds. Alternatives such as "stagnant funding" or "level funding" may also be appropriate depending on the nuance you wish to convey.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
stagnant funding
Replaces "flat" with "stagnant" to emphasize the lack of movement or growth.
level funding
Uses "level" instead of "flat" to describe the consistent amount of funding.
unchanged funding
Replaces "flat" with "unchanged" to highlight the absence of any alteration in the funding amount.
constant funding
Uses "constant" to indicate that the funding remains the same over time.
static funding
Substitutes "flat" with "static" to convey a sense of immobility or lack of dynamism in funding.
funding at the same level
Rephrases to clarify that funding is maintained at its current level.
funding remaining steady
Emphasizes the stability and lack of variation in funding through the term "steady".
flatlined funding
Uses "flatlined" metaphorically, suggesting that funding has stopped increasing.
funding freeze
Implies a deliberate halt to any increases in funding.
no increase in funding
Directly states the absence of any additional funding.
FAQs
How is "funding flat" typically used in a sentence?
Typically, "funding flat" describes a situation where the amount of money allocated to a particular project, department, or organization remains the same over a specified period. For example, "The research program's "funding remained flat" despite increased operating costs".
What are some alternatives to "funding flat" that I can use?
Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "stagnant funding", "level funding", or "unchanged funding" to convey a similar meaning.
Is "funding flat" a negative or neutral term?
The term "funding flat" is generally neutral but often carries a negative connotation because it implies that there are no additional resources to accommodate inflation, increased demand, or new initiatives. Whether it's perceived as negative depends on the specific context and the expectations of the stakeholders involved.
What is the difference between "funding flat" and "budget freeze"?
While both terms indicate a lack of increase in funding, "budget freeze" typically refers to a deliberate decision to temporarily halt any increases in spending, often as a cost-saving measure. "Funding flat" simply describes a situation where funding levels remain the same, whether by design or circumstance.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested