gold reserves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gold reserves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the amount of gold held by a country or organization as a store of value or for backing currency. Example: "The central bank announced an increase in its gold reserves to strengthen the national economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

When gold reserves contracted, so did the money supply.

The New York Times

The world's gold reserves were inadequate to take the strain.

The Guardian - Books

Others suspect North Korea has been selling off gold reserves.

The Guardian

"The German gold reserves must remain untouchable," said Philipp Rösler, the economy minister and vice chancellor.

The New York Times

Chief among them is part of the gold reserves held by the central bank.

The New York Times

Shortly beforehand Britain had shamefully handed over the Baltic states' gold reserves to the Soviet government.

The Economist

She controls a multibillion dollar fortune including 20 tons in gold reserves.

Independent

And their shrinking gold reserves implied the need for tighter domestic monetary policy.

The Economist

Russia formerly maintained tight Soviet-style secrecy around its gold reserves.

The New York Times

That was partly because of a fall in the value of the IOR's gold reserves.

The Economist

Switzerland still has more gold reserves per person than any other country, according to the SNB.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In financial reports, always clarify the valuation method used for "gold reserves" (e.g., market price, historical cost).

Common error

Avoid using "gold reserves" when you actually mean "gold production". "Gold reserves" refer to stored gold, while "gold production" indicates the amount of gold being mined or produced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gold reserves" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a specific type of asset held by nations, central banks, or companies. Ludwig examples show it in contexts related to economic policy, financial stability, and international trade.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gold reserves" is a very common noun phrase used to describe a country's or organization's gold holdings, typically as a store of value or to back currency. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news, business, and formal contexts. While alternatives like "gold holdings" or "gold bullion reserves" exist, "gold reserves" remains the standard term. It's crucial to differentiate "gold reserves" from "gold production" to avoid confusion, as the former refers to stored gold and the latter to gold being mined. The phrase's consistent use and clear meaning across sources underscore its importance in economic and financial discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gold holdings

Refers to the amount of gold possessed, similar to reserves but can encompass broader forms of ownership.

gold bullion reserves

Specifies that the gold is in bullion form, emphasizing its physical state.

national gold reserves

Highlights that the reserves are owned or controlled by a nation's government.

official gold reserves

Emphasizes the reserves are formally recognized and reported by an official entity.

gold stockpiles

Implies a large accumulation of gold, often suggesting strategic storage.

gold deposits

Focuses on the geological occurrence of gold, potentially extractable but not yet part of reserves.

monetary gold reserves

Refers to gold held specifically for monetary purposes, such as backing currency.

gold resources

Encompasses all potential gold sources, including reserves and unexplored deposits.

central bank gold reserves

Identifies the reserves as being held by a country's central bank.

untapped gold reserves

Highlights gold that is known to exist but hasn't been exploited yet.

FAQs

How are "gold reserves" typically used by a country?

"Gold reserves" are often used to back a country's currency, stabilize its economy, or settle international debts. They serve as a store of value and a buffer against economic shocks.

What factors can affect a country's "gold reserves"?

A country's "gold reserves" can be affected by factors such as gold mining activities, international trade, central bank policies, and fluctuations in the price of gold.

What's the difference between "gold reserves" and "gold holdings"?

While the terms are often used interchangeably, "gold holdings" can be a broader term encompassing all gold owned by an entity, whereas "gold reserves" typically refer to gold specifically held by a central bank or government as part of its official reserves.

Why might a country choose to sell its "gold reserves"?

A country might sell its "gold reserves" to raise capital, manage its currency, or diversify its assets. This can be a strategic decision based on economic conditions and policy goals.