shrinking reserves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shrinking reserves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decrease in available resources, whether financial, natural, or otherwise. Example: "The company is facing challenges due to shrinking reserves of capital, which limits its ability to invest in new projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

However, HSBC forecasts that South Korea's short-term debt will exceed its shrinking reserves before the year is out.

The Economist

Capital flight feeds on itself as shrinking reserves reinforce the notion that the original jitters were warranted.

The New York Times

They are desperate to replace their shrinking reserves with new finds, but many of the most attractive fields are in unstable or poorly governed places.

The Economist

Depending on what the perceived harm of that loss of control is, markets could seize on shrinking reserves as an excuse to pounce.

The Economist

Spending the last of his trust fund's shrinking reserves on the schlock of the new, he's a pathetic figure and an easy target.

The New York Times - Books

The Russian Central Bank was forced to suspend trading of rubles for dollars after concluding it could no longer afford to pour the country's shrinking reserves of dollars into the currency markets.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But since federal courts overturned the state system four years ago and allowed municipalities to dispose of their trash in the most economical way, Bergen County has lost customers at the station and has had to pay off the debt out of a rapidly shrinking reserve fund.

The New York Times

Described this week in ZooKeys, the lizard was found in a rapidly shrinking reserve; scientists suggest field surveys be upped to identify more new animals before the sanctuary disappears.

Science Magazine

More recently, indigenous people across Brazil protested in 2014 against new legislation that would shrink reserves and undermine protection of ancestral lands.

Huffington Post

Dressed in traditional headdress and armed with bows and arrows, the group rallied against legislation they fear will shrink reserves and undermine protection of their ancestral lands.

Huffington Post

Anxiety over rising interest rates, the backlog of unpaid wages and shrinking Central Bank reserves has become so great that it has begun to rattle the Kremlin.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial matters, use "shrinking reserves" to indicate a decrease in funds or assets. For natural resources, consider "depleting resources" or "dwindling supplies" for greater specificity.

Common error

Avoid using "shrinking reserves" when referring to something that doesn't naturally accumulate or deplete over time. For example, it's more accurate to say "decreasing opportunities" rather than "shrinking reserves of opportunities".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "shrinking reserves" is to act as a noun phrase, where "shrinking" modifies the noun "reserves", indicating a state of depletion. Ludwig examples show it describing various resources like oil, cash, and foreign currency.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shrinking reserves" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase that describes a decrease in available resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is considered correct and applicable across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings.

The phrase is most often used to convey concern about declining resources and carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for both formal and informal communications. When writing, ensure the context aligns with the term's meaning; use specific terms like "depleting resources" for more precise communication. Alternatives such as "diminishing supplies" or "declining assets" can provide nuanced meanings depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depleting resources

Focuses on the gradual exhaustion of resources, emphasizing the process of using them up.

diminishing supplies

Highlights the reduction in the amount of available supplies, often used for tangible goods.

declining assets

Specifically refers to a decrease in the value or quantity of assets, often in a financial context.

dwindling resources

Emphasizes a gradual and continuous decrease in the availability of resources.

waning reserves

Implies a gradual decrease in reserves, suggesting a weakening or fading away.

reducing assets

Highlights an active reduction of assets rather than a natural decline.

decreasing stocks

Focuses on the reduction of stored items or goods, typically in a business context.

falling resources

Directly indicates a drop in the quantity or availability of resources.

eroding reserves

Suggests a gradual wearing away or deterioration of reserves, often used metaphorically.

receding resources

Implies resources are moving back or away, diminishing in availability or accessibility.

FAQs

How can I use "shrinking reserves" in a sentence?

You can use "shrinking reserves" to describe a decline in available resources. For example, "The company is facing challenges due to "shrinking reserves" of capital."

What are some alternatives to saying "shrinking reserves"?

Alternatives include "depleting resources", "diminishing supplies", or "declining assets" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "shrinking reserves"?

Yes, "shrinking reserves" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe the reduction of available resources, as supported by examples from Ludwig.

What's the difference between "shrinking reserves" and "dwindling resources"?

"Shrinking reserves" generally refers to a quantifiable decrease in specific assets or funds, while "dwindling resources" implies a gradual and continuous reduction in the overall availability of resources.