make cutbacks

USAGE SUMMARY

"make cutbacks" is correct, and usable in written English.
It typically refers to reducing expenses in order to save money. For example, "The company has to make cutbacks in order to remain profitable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

But in several cases, they have allowed states to make cutbacks.

The New York Times

But some say the mergers can hurt local communities, as stations make cutbacks.

The New York Times

"Since I had to stop working, I've had to make cutbacks.

Independent

Its $11 million annual operating loss had forced administrators to make cutbacks.

Harvard Business Review

We have to make cutbacks.' What could I do?" Watt tells me, sitting in her adapted bungalow near Southampton.

The Guardian - Opinion

This ballooning of public expenditures is one of the reasons why the present government has had no choice but to make cutbacks.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

American Chemical Society makes cutbacks to fight financial losses.

Nature

They are making cutbacks when they could be making money by getting rid of free prescriptions.

The Guardian

The Getty Museum made cutbacks in staff and adjustments in its operating hours this year.

The New York Times - Arts

Many economies in Europe, of course, say they are under pressure from benefit payments and are making cutbacks.

The New York Times

Along with other companies that publish newspapers and magazines, the Washington Post Company has made cutbacks to deal with an advertising slump.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make cutbacks", be specific about what areas are affected. For example, instead of saying "The company had to make cutbacks", specify "The company had to make cutbacks in marketing and travel expenses".

Common error

While "make cutbacks" is widely understood, overuse in formal writing can sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "reduce spending" or "implement austerity measures" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make cutbacks" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of reducing expenses. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make cutbacks" is a common and correct way to describe the action of reducing expenses. Ludwig AI affirms its validity in written English, and it's frequently encountered in news, business, and general contexts. While versatile, it's beneficial to specify the areas affected when using the phrase. Be mindful of overuse in formal writing and consider alternatives like "reduce spending" or "implement austerity measures" for variety. Overall, "make cutbacks" is a clear and effective way to communicate a reduction in spending.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce spending

Focuses on the action of lowering expenditures.

cut expenses

Emphasizes the specific items being reduced.

trim the budget

Implies a careful and precise reduction in financial resources.

curtail expenditure

Suggests a formal and controlled limitation of spending.

downsize operations

Indicates a reduction in the scale of activities, often involving cost savings.

implement austerity measures

Refers to strict and often unpopular cost-saving actions.

economize

Highlights the careful use of resources to avoid waste.

retrench

Implies a strategic withdrawal and reduction of resources, often in response to financial difficulty.

scale back investments

Indicates a reduction in the amount of capital allocated to various projects or assets.

rationalize costs

Suggests streamlining processes to eliminate unnecessary expenditures.

FAQs

How to use "make cutbacks" in a sentence?

You can use "make cutbacks" to describe a situation where a company, organization, or individual is reducing their spending, such as "Due to the economic downturn, the company had to "make cutbacks" in its marketing budget".

What can I say instead of "make cutbacks"?

You can use alternatives such as "reduce spending", "cut expenses", or "trim the budget" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "make cutbacks" or "do cutbacks"?

"Make cutbacks" is the correct and idiomatic phrasing. While "do" can sometimes collocate with nouns to indicate action, "make" is the standard verb used with "cutbacks".

What's the difference between "make cutbacks" and "implement austerity measures"?

"Make cutbacks" is a general term for reducing spending. "Implement austerity measures" implies a more rigorous and systematic approach to cost-saving, often in response to a significant financial challenge.