spending on top

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spending on top" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing additional expenses or costs that are incurred on top of existing ones, but clarity is essential. Example: "The project budget was already tight, and the spending on top for unexpected expenses made it even more challenging."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

That was twice what they spent in 2009, when the Mets finished dead last in spending on top draft picks.

The New York Times - Sports

Barack Obama initiated increased government stimulus spending on top of the government bailouts backed by his predecessor, Republican Pres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A more pressing worry for Tencent's shareholders is that its lavish spending, on top of heavy investment in improving its unimpressive e-commerce offerings, will eat into profits.

The Economist

Ministers are also meant to find further cuts in spending on top of the 10% already sliced from service budgets since 2010.

The Guardian - Business

They noted that the bill cuts $6 billion in current spending on top of $4 billion in reductions imposed in the previous two-week budget bill that expires Friday.

The New York Times

House Republicans did indeed take the tough vote to shut off the automatic cuts to defense, by shifting those cuts to domestic spending on top of the automatic cuts still scheduled to hit those programs.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Alan Lafley, who succeeded Durk Jager as chief executive in June, plans to increase advertising spending on top-selling brands like Tide detergent, Pringles chips and Bounty towels to reverse sales declines.

The New York Times

Liverpool, however, maintain that Torres is not for sale and they spent yesterday trying to convince the centre-forward that their plans tally with his ambitions; ambitions he feels have been undermined by a lack of spending on top-class players in recent years and which resulted in his official transfer request on Friday.

The Guardian - Sport

Meanwhile, critics deride the value of a liberal arts education, teachers are underpaid, and unnecessary spending on top-of-the-line recreational facilities, student unions, residence halls and stadiums is maxing out college budgets in exactly the wrong way.

TechCrunch

The BBC has already committed to reducing the amount it spends on top talent.

Independent

He just talked about the vast amounts he wanted to spend on top.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spending on top", ensure the context clearly specifies what the spending is in addition to. For example: "The marketing budget was increased, with further "spending on top" allocated to social media campaigns."

Common error

Avoid using "spending on top" without clearly indicating the original expenditure. Unclear references can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of financial information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spending on top" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating additional or supplemental expenditure. It specifies that the mentioned spending is added to something already existing or planned. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase may cause confusion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spending on top" is used to describe additional or supplemental expenditure beyond an existing or planned amount. While generally understandable, Ludwig AI points out that it may lack clarity and be improved upon. Its usage is most common in news and media contexts, with alternative phrases like "additional expenditure" or "supplementary costs" offering more formal alternatives. Therefore, when using the phrase "spending on top", ensure the context clearly specifies what the spending is in addition to, and consider whether a more precise alternative would better serve the intended audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

additional expenditure

Focuses on the supplemental nature of the spending.

supplementary costs

Highlights the extra expenses incurred.

extra investment

Emphasizes the additional allocation of funds.

incremental expenses

Stresses the gradual accumulation of costs.

over and above expenses

Suggests spending beyond the initial budget.

excess spending

Implies expenditure exceeding what is necessary or planned.

bonus expenditure

Indicates unforeseen and additional spending.

increased financial outlay

Highlights a greater expenditure of funds.

add-on costs

Focuses on the additional fees or charges involved.

piggyback expenses

Conveys the idea of extra costs added to existing ones.

FAQs

How can I use "spending on top" in a sentence?

You can use "spending on top" to describe additional expenses or investments that are made in addition to existing ones. For example, "The company increased its marketing budget, allocating additional "spending on top" for digital advertising campaigns."

What phrases are similar to "spending on top"?

Similar phrases include "additional expenditure", "supplementary costs", or "extra investment". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "spending on top" grammatically correct?

While "spending on top" might not be the most formal or common phrase, it is generally understandable and acceptable in many contexts. More formal alternatives might include "additional spending" or "supplementary expenses".

When is it appropriate to use "spending on top"?

It's appropriate to use "spending on top" when you want to emphasize that an expenditure is in addition to a previously existing or planned amount. Ensure the context makes it clear what the "top" refers to.