insufficient funds

USAGE SUMMARY

"insufficient funds" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe when there is not enough money available to cover a certain expense. Example: "I'm sorry, but your payment was declined due to insufficient funds in your account."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Roosevelt, a small district on Long Island, has suffered from insufficient funds, mismanagement and poor performance.

The New York Times

But there were still insufficient funds and few knew its location.

The Guardian - Books

Loans could, of course, solve the problem of insufficient funds, but they required additional steps.

The Guardian

"I got involved in writing checks to get some clothes, in insufficient funds.

The New York Times - Sports

Unfortunately, after too many bad headlines and insufficient funds, it closed in 1971.

The Guardian - Books

But as King pointed out, the "bank of justice" seems to have insufficient funds.

The Guardian - Opinion

Certainly, the two words that make me most depressed are "insufficient funds".

The Guardian - Opinion

Insufficient funds of a particular unit will not be considered a valid reason for an exception.

Yale University

In 1607 they abandoned their establishment and fort at Port-Royal, Acadia, because of insufficient funds.

Britannica

Fundamentally, council HRAs have insufficient funds to maintain and renew their existing stock.

The Guardian

Meanwhile insufficient funds are available to attract the best foreign coaches.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial matters, clarify the specific context where "insufficient funds" applies. For example, specify whether it refers to a bank account, a project budget, or an organization's overall resources.

Common error

Avoid using "insufficient funds" as a catch-all excuse. If poor planning or mismanagement contributed to the shortage, address these underlying issues directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insufficient funds" primarily functions as a noun phrase describing the state of not having enough money to cover an obligation or expense. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common way to explain a declined payment or a budget deficit.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

28%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "insufficient funds" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a lack of necessary financial resources, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Used across diverse fields, including news, academia, and science, it serves to explain why financial obligations can't be met. While synonyms like "lack of funds" or "limited funds" exist, "insufficient funds" remains a widely recognized and neutrally-toned expression. Therefore, clarity is important: ensure that the source or cause of the financial need is described, as it is not always a question of planning. Lastly, most uses of this word are in contexts that can be considered authoritative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of funds

Focuses on the absence of necessary money.

limited funds

Emphasizes the restricted nature of the available money.

inadequate funding

Highlights that the financial support is not enough.

shortage of funds

Indicates a deficiency in the amount of money.

financial shortfall

Stresses the gap between required and available money.

deficit of funds

Implies a specific amount is missing.

empty coffers

Suggests a complete or near-complete absence of money.

strapped for cash

Indicates a temporary or current lack of available money.

broke

Informal term for having no money.

penniless

Suggests a complete lack of wealth.

FAQs

How to use "insufficient funds" in a sentence?

You can use "insufficient funds" to describe a situation where there is not enough money available to cover a payment or expense. For example: "The check bounced due to "insufficient funds" in the account."

What can I say instead of "insufficient funds"?

Alternatives to "insufficient funds" include phrases like "lack of funds", "limited funds", or "inadequate funding", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "insufficient funds" or "non-sufficient funds"?

"Insufficient funds" is the more common and generally preferred term. While "non-sufficient funds" may be used, it's less frequently encountered and can sound less natural.

What's the difference between "insufficient funds" and "overdraft"?

"Insufficient funds" describes the state of not having enough money in an account. An "overdraft" occurs when you attempt to withdraw more money than is available, potentially incurring a fee.