low on funds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "low on funds" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation where someone has limited financial resources or money available. Example: "I'm sorry, but I can't go out to dinner this week; I'm a bit low on funds right now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Is the government low on funds?

The New York Times

They lack coordination and are low on funds.

The New York Times

They were both in the Army and low on funds.

The New Yorker

The school was constantly low on funds and enrollment, and it eventually closed in 1995.

The New York Times

It is much harder to cope with the cold when you're low on funds.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sick and running low on funds, Wang's mother closed the school.

Harvard University

Aimee Lucido appears to be low on funds, and it just breaks my heart.

The New York Times

As the administration and Congress bicker, the rebels say they are running dangerously low on funds.

The Washington Post

Unframed art has long been popular with struggling artists low on funds and with galleries started on a shoestring.

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

By June 1999, Proscript was running perilously low on funding.

Forbes

The Internet sector actually fell and hit a five-quarter low on funding.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about financial situations, consider the audience and choose synonyms for "low on funds" to maintain clarity and avoid being overly technical or informal.

Common error

Avoid using "low on funds" when "poor" is more appropriate. "Low on funds" typically implies a temporary situation, while "poor" indicates a more chronic state of lacking financial resources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "low on funds" functions as an adjectival phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating a state of having limited financial resources. Ludwig AI shows that is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "low on funds" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating a lack of financial resources. Ludwig AI validates this usage, and its appearance across varied sources confirms its broad applicability. Though neutral in tone, careful selection of synonyms like "short of money" or "financially strained" can enhance clarity depending on your specific context. Remember to differentiate "low on funds," a temporary shortage, from "poor," a more chronic condition. Understanding these nuances enables you to convey financial situations with accuracy and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

short of money

This alternative uses "short" to convey the lack of funds, emphasizing a temporary shortage.

strapped for cash

This alternative uses "strapped" to indicate a tight financial situation, suggesting limited access to cash.

running out of money

This alternative emphasizes the depletion of funds over time.

financially strained

This alternative highlights the burden and pressure caused by the lack of funds.

in financial difficulty

This alternative indicates a more serious and prolonged lack of financial resources.

experiencing a cash flow problem

This alternative focuses on the disruption in the flow of money, suggesting a temporary imbalance.

having monetary issues

This alternative is a more general way to refer to problems related to money.

in a tight spot financially

This alternative conveys being in a difficult situation due to lack of money.

hard up

This alternative is an informal term for lacking money, suggesting a difficult situation.

broke

This alternative is a direct and informal term for having no money.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "low on funds"?

Being "low on funds" means having a limited amount of money available, typically implying a temporary shortage or a need to budget carefully.

What can I say instead of "low on funds"?

You can use alternatives like "short of money", "strapped for cash", or "running out of money" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "low on funds" or "short of money"?

"Low on funds" and "short of money" are generally considered neutral. More formal options might include "experiencing financial constraints" or "facing budgetary limitations".

How can the phrase "low on funds" be used in a sentence?

You can use "low on funds" in a sentence like, "The organization was "low on funds", so they had to postpone the project," or, "I'm a bit "low on funds" this month, so I'll have to skip the concert."