spend more than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spend more than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing expenditures that exceed a certain amount or budget. Example: "I tend to spend more than I earn, which is why I need to create a budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Will I spend more than I make?

The Guardian - Money

"We cannot spend more than we have".

The New York Times

Bigger councils spend more than smaller ones.

The Guardian

"You spend more than you would have otherwise," he said.

The New York Times

Many Central Asians spend more than that on cigarettes.

The Economist

The card won't let you spend more than you have.

The New York Times

Indeed, many Italian clubs routinely spend more than they earn.

The Economist

China's regional and municipal governments spend more than they collect.

The Economist

Formula One team owners always spend more than they've got.

The New York Times - Sports

It's hard to spend more than $15 for a meal.

The New York Times - Travel

Why continue to spend more than comparable countries on defence?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing budgets or financial reports, use "spend more than" to clearly indicate which entity has higher expenditures. For example, "This department tends to "spend more than" its allocated budget each quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "spend more than" without clarifying the context of comparison. Ensure it's clear what is being compared, such as ""spend more than" last year" or ""spend more than" the average."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spend more than" primarily functions as a comparative expression, indicating a higher level of expenditure relative to something else. Ludwig provides many examples, affirming its role in comparing costs, budgets, or resource allocation in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spend more than" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used for comparative analysis of expenditures. Ludwig confirms its widespread use across various domains, including news, science, and formal business settings. The phrase functions to compare financial outlays, emphasizing which entity spends a greater amount. It's suitable for neutral contexts and is vital for clear communication regarding budgets and financial comparisons. Related phrases like "outspend" or "exceed spending" offer nuanced alternatives, while awareness of common errors, such as neglecting context, ensures precise usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outspend

Concise term for spending a larger amount.

exceed spending

Highlights the act of going beyond a specified budget or limit.

expend beyond

More formal way of saying spending exceeds a specific value.

overspend

Implies spending excessively or carelessly.

invest more heavily

Suggests allocating more resources, specifically in investment contexts.

allocate a greater sum

Focuses on the allocation of a larger amount of money.

pour more resources into

Emphasizes a significant and continuous investment of resources.

have higher outlays

Describes having larger expenditures, often in a business context.

commit greater funds to

Implies a deliberate and planned allocation of more funds.

lay out a larger amount

Focuses on the act of disbursing a significant sum of money.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "spend more than" in a business context?

In formal business writing, consider using phrases like "exceed spending", "have higher outlays", or "commit greater funds to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "spent more than" instead of "spend more than"?

Yes, "spent more than" is the past tense form of "spend more than". Use "spent" when referring to past expenditures, as in "They "spent more than" they earned last year".

What's a simple way to understand when to use "spend more than"?

Use "spend more than" when you want to compare the amount of money spent by two or more entities or when expenditure exceeds a certain predefined limit. For example, "She will "spend more than" her sister on vacation".

What are some alternatives to "spend more than" that still imply excess?

Alternatives that imply excess include "overspend", which indicates spending carelessly, or "exceed spending", which emphasizes going beyond a set budget.