spend excessively

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spend excessively" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing financial habits or behaviors that involve spending more money than is necessary or reasonable. Example: "Many people tend to spend excessively during the holiday season, leading to financial strain in the new year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Should a country spend excessively or hold domestic interest rates too low, it would find it difficult to maintain its currency's tie to the dollar or, in the case of the United States, to gold.

Columbia University

The study ranks Britain 11th in the efficiency of its education system, higher than France or Germany (largely because these countries spend excessively on teacher salaries or allow them to a light teaching load).

The Economist

drive them to spend excessively to impress their palates, vanities, friends or financial speculations, I'd suggest the Protestant admonition: "The average man has five senses: touch, taste, sight, smell and hearing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We were spending excessively to counter the Soviet threat and I understood it.

Harvard University

Department of Education officials said they had identified a number of cases in which schools had spent excessively on photocopiers.

The Guardian

Opponents complain that the city government spends excessively on promoting Mr Ebrard and that contracts have been doled out to his political allies.

The Economist

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions was interested particularly in whether the university was spending excessively on recruiting veterans and military, the very criticism leveled at for-profit schools.

The New York Times

He even praised the bill that emerged, even though it cut spending excessively at a time when the fragile economy can't afford it.

The New York Times

Only then, they say, will we be able stop spending excessively large sums to protect against small risks and vice versa.

The New York Times - Magazine

Thus, choosing immediate economic gratification, by spending excessively on credit cards or not saving enough even though you "know better", could be a sign that the limbic system is in charge.

The Economist

Andrew Zimbalist, an economics professor at Smith College who has researched the IOC, gave the nonprofit credit for not lavishing its top executives with massive salaries like the global soccer organization FIFA, but said that where the IOC spends excessively is on the perks.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about financial responsibility, use "spend excessively" to emphasize the detrimental impact of overspending on financial stability.

Common error

Avoid using "spend excessively" when the context involves strategic investments aimed at generating returns. Focus on clarifying the intent and potential outcomes to ensure accurate communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spend excessively" functions as a verb phrase, where "spend" is the verb and "excessively" is an adverb modifying the verb. It describes the manner in which money is spent, emphasizing that it is done to an extreme degree. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

27%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spend excessively" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe overspending or wasteful financial habits. While relatively rare in occurrence, Ludwig AI indicates that it is used correctly in both news media and academic writing. To avoid potential misuse, ensure that the context accurately reflects wasteful or irresponsible spending, distinguishing it from strategic investing. Related terms include "overspend" and "spend lavishly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overspend

A more concise, single-word synonym for spending more than necessary.

spend beyond one's means

Focuses on the act of spending more than one can afford.

splurge

Implies spending a large amount of money on something enjoyable but not essential.

be wasteful with money

Highlights the lack of prudence in spending habits.

spend lavishly

Emphasizes the luxurious and often unnecessary nature of the spending.

run up debt

Focuses on the consequence of excessive spending, which is accumulating debt.

indulge in excessive spending

Highlights the self-gratifying aspect of overspending.

be extravagant

Describes the act of spending more money than is reasonable or necessary.

empty your pockets

Illustrative way to refer to spending all the money available.

be free-spending

Describes someone who readily spends money without much consideration.

FAQs

What does it mean to "spend excessively"?

To "spend excessively" means to spend more money than is necessary, reasonable, or affordable, often leading to financial instability or debt.

What are some synonyms for "spend excessively"?

Alternatives to "spend excessively" include "overspend", "spend lavishly", and "spend beyond one's means", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I avoid "spending excessively"?

To avoid "spending excessively", create a budget, track your expenses, prioritize needs over wants, and consider the long-term financial implications of your purchases.

Is it always bad to "spend excessively"?

While generally viewed negatively due to its potential for financial harm, "spending excessively" might be acceptable in specific situations, such as investing in essential education or making strategic business expenditures expected to yield significant returns.