mandatory spending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mandatory spending" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of government budgets to refer to expenditures that are required by law, such as Social Security and Medicare. Example: "The government's budget proposal includes a significant increase in mandatory spending to support social programs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These dominate mandatory spending, which does not require annual authorisation.

The Economist

"We've always talked about mandatory spending being addressed in a debt ceiling increase, but keep in mind Obamacare is part of mandatory spending," he said.

The New York Times

He concluded, "Like the federal government, mandatory spending made up seventy per cent of our total.

The New Yorker

Mr. Obama identified $570 billion in detailed cuts to mandatory spending programs over 10 years.

The New York Times

Another $2 trillion is off-limits because it is classified as mandatory spending.

The Economist

Why? Struggling states have to prioritize other mandatory spending, like Medicaid.

The New York Times

Already, mandatory spending, at $1 trillion, greatly exceeds domestic discretionary outlays at $326 billion this year.

The New York Times

We must also confront the larger challenge of mandatory spending, or entitlements.

The New York Times

The House bill provides a $1 billion increase in automatic, or mandatory, spending for child care.

The New York Times

Mandatory spending for the program for 2005 will remain at $2.7 billion.

The New York Times

Those sums are less than one-half of 1 percent of the mandatory spending anticipated by the budget office.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing government finances, use "mandatory spending" to clearly distinguish it from discretionary spending. For example: "The budget prioritizes reductions in discretionary spending while acknowledging the constraints of mandatory spending."

Common error

Avoid using "mandatory spending" interchangeably with discretionary spending. Discretionary spending is subject to annual budget decisions, while "mandatory spending" is governed by existing laws.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mandatory spending" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It denotes a specific category of government expenditure. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mandatory spending" is a commonly used noun phrase that refers to government expenditures required by law, distinct from discretionary spending. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability. As our analysis shows, it appears frequently in news, science, and business contexts. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, it's essential to use it precisely to avoid confusion with discretionary spending. Understanding "mandatory spending" is crucial for informed discussions on budget allocation and financial policy. Alternative phrases like "required expenditures" or "statutory outlays" offer similar meanings, but the specific context should guide the best choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

required expenditures

Focuses on the financial aspect and the obligation to spend.

statutory outlays

Emphasizes the legal basis for the spending.

enforceable allocations

Highlights the binding nature of the spending commitments.

compulsory disbursements

Stresses the obligatory nature of the payments.

automatic appropriations

Highlights the automatic nature of funds allocation.

entitlement spending

Focuses on spending related to government entitlement programs.

unavoidable costs

Emphasizes the inevitability of the expenses.

committed funds

Highlights that funds are already designated.

predetermined expenses

Stresses that the expenses are set in advance.

legally required spending

Highlights the legal obligation more explicitly.

FAQs

What is included in "mandatory spending"?

"Mandatory spending" typically includes government funding for Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and interest on the national debt.

How does "mandatory spending" differ from discretionary spending?

"Mandatory spending" proceeds automatically unless the law changes, while discretionary spending must be approved annually by Congress.

What are some alternatives to the term "mandatory spending"?

You can use alternatives like "required expenditures" or "statutory outlays", depending on the context.

Why is it important to understand "mandatory spending" in discussions about the federal budget?

Understanding "mandatory spending" is crucial because it constitutes a significant portion of the federal budget and is often a key point of contention in budget debates.