less spending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less spending" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it when talking about reducing expenses or expenditures, or comparing the amount of money spent in one situation to another. Example: "In order to save money, our company decided to implement a policy of less spending on unnecessary items."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which means Americans have less spending power.

The Washington Post

We would have less spending if its tax cost was fully apparent.

The New York Times

Mr. Boehner and his fellow House Republicans moved quickly this week to demonstrate their commitment to less spending.

The New York Times

It turns out that they want more, not less, spending on most things, including education and Medicare.

The New York Times

The impact on the economy is less spending and redistribution of earnings from somewhere.

Forbes

Crudely put, less Chinese spending on iron ore and equipment means less spending by Australian mining firms on London's financial services, and less spending by German factory workers on British consumer goods.

BBC

The net result would be fewer Oklahomans on Medicaid, and less spending by the state government.

Huffington Post

would mean 33percentt less spending within the decade.

Huffington Post

Less spending, less glamour, less Versailles.

The New York Times

More saving means less spending and hence less demand.

The Economist

"Neither party is committed to smaller government and less spending.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advocating for "less spending", clearly specify the areas where cuts should occur to avoid ambiguity and potential misinterpretations. For example, instead of saying "we need less spending", specify "we need less spending on marketing and advertising."

Common error

Avoid using "less spending" without providing context on what is being reduced. Unclear statements can lead to confusion and resistance. Always specify the area or sector affected by the reduced spending.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less spending" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, expressing a reduction in the amount of money being spent. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less spending" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that signifies a reduction in expenditures. Ludwig AI and the examined sources confirm its widespread application across news, business, and scientific contexts. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to specify what area is affected by the reduced spending. When discussing alternatives to "less spending", "reduced expenditure", "lower outlay" and "decreased expenses" are useful synonyms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced expenditure

Focuses on the act of reducing the amount of money spent.

lower outlay

Replaces "spending" with "outlay", emphasizing the financial disbursement.

decreased expenses

Uses "expenses" instead of "spending", highlighting the costs involved.

spending cuts

Emphasizes a deliberate reduction in spending, often in a budgetary context.

fiscal restraint

Indicates a cautious approach to spending, especially by governments.

budgetary reduction

Specifically refers to reductions in a budget plan.

trimming costs

Suggests a careful and precise reduction of expenses.

austerity measures

Implies strict and significant reductions in spending, often during economic hardship.

economic cutbacks

Highlights a general decrease in spending across an economy.

conservation of resources

Focuses on preserving resources, which indirectly leads to lower spending.

FAQs

How can I use "less spending" in a sentence?

You can use "less spending" to discuss budget cuts, personal finance, or economic policies. For instance, "The company aims for "reduced expenditure" next quarter" or "Government initiatives are focused on "fiscal restraint" to balance the budget".

What are some alternatives to saying "less spending"?

Alternatives include "reduced expenditure", "lower outlay", "decreased expenses", or "spending cuts". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired emphasis.

Which is correct, "less spending" or "fewer spending"?

"Less spending" is correct because "spending" is generally treated as a non-countable noun in this context. You would use "fewer" with countable nouns, for example, "fewer expenses" if you are referring to specific, countable items.

What's the difference between "less spending" and "budgetary reduction"?

"Less spending" is a general term referring to a decrease in expenditures. "Budgetary reduction" specifically refers to a decrease in a planned budget. The former is broader, while the latter is specific to budget planning.