stringency

USAGE SUMMARY

'stringency' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that is used to describe something that is strict, stringent, or exacting. Example sentence: The increased stringency of the law helped to reduce crime in the city.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Monetary and fiscal stringency left real output lower in 1928 than in 1918.

The Economist

Long known for championing fiscal stringency, the fund has recommended that Tanzania and Mozambique consider countercyclical fiscal expansions.

The Economist

Whatever else they said or did not say, the French cried no to budget stringency of the sort the Maastricht plan demands.

The Economist

Centre-left politicians fret over what the new stringency might do to areas such as Naples, where huge swathes of the economy are black.

The Economist

While bankrupts blame the prime minister for the austere economic climate, the markets worry that he is not austere enough, and is prepared to sacrifice financial stringency for political expediency.

The Economist

The stringency of many CSAs may be at fault.

The Economist

Further attempts at fiscal stringency may hack away at other support programmes, including food stamps and Medicaid, a health-care entitlement for the poor.

The Economist

The new president, Néstor Kirchner, bluntly told Mr Köhler that his priority was economic growth, not fiscal stringency, and that Argentina would not sign any deal it could not fulfil.

The Economist

The real problem, however, is that the government's desire to portray itself as protector of the poor is getting in the way of the job it urgently needs to do managing the public finances properly.The big issue is how and how fast to replace fiscal stimulus with stringency.

The Economist

More stringency is desirable; and the tax base is still too narrow, pushing up marginal tax rates and blunting incentives to work and save.In this section COMMODITY PRICE INDEX OUTPUT, DEMAND AND JOBS PRICES AND WAGES DENMARK Reprints.

The Economist

Mr Kono looks at several proxies for consumer sensitivities, including the stringency of a country's environmental regulations, the purity of its water and the number of quality-marks its companies receive from the International Organisation for Standardisation.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic policies, use "stringency" to specifically denote the degree of strictness in fiscal or monetary controls. For example: 'The government's economic policy focused on fiscal stringency.'

Common error

Avoid using "stringency" when you actually mean "emergency". "Stringency" refers to the strictness or severity of a measure or condition, while "emergency" indicates a sudden, serious, and unexpected event requiring immediate action.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stringency" is as a noun, often referring to the state or quality of being strict or rigorous. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes a rigorous imposition of standards or a scarcity of resources. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in contexts like fiscal or budgetary policy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stringency" is a noun that denotes the quality of being strict, rigorous, or severe. Ludwig highlights its frequent use in describing policies, economic conditions, or standards. Predominantly used in formal contexts like News & Media, Science, and Business, "stringency" carries a neutral to formal register. While grammatically straightforward, confusing it with terms like "emergency" should be avoided. Employ it to emphasize the demanding nature of a situation or measure, as illustrated in the examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strictness

This alternative focuses on the quality of being strict and uncompromising.

severity

This term emphasizes the harsh or stern nature of the condition or measure.

austerity

This alternative highlights the economic hardship and enforced frugality.

tightness

This word describes a state of being closely controlled or restricted.

rigor

This emphasizes the demanding and inflexible nature of standards or processes.

harshness

Highlights the unpleasant or severe quality of a situation or measure.

inflexibility

Emphasizes the lack of adaptability or willingness to change.

severity of measures

Focuses on how intense or extreme the action is.

economic constraints

This alternative emphasizes financial limitations and restrictions.

fiscal prudence

Suggests careful and economical management of resources, particularly in finance.

FAQs

How to use "stringency" in a sentence?

"Stringency" typically refers to the strictness or severity of a policy, rule, or economic condition. For example, "The new environmental regulations increased the stringency of emissions standards."

What can I say instead of "stringency"?

You can use alternatives like "strictness", "severity", or "austerity" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "stringency" and "severity"?

"Stringency" refers to the degree of strictness or rigor applied, often in policies or regulations. "Severity", on the other hand, emphasizes the harshness or seriousness of a situation or condition. While related, "stringency" focuses on the application of strict measures, and "severity" emphasizes the intensity of the impact or condition.

In what contexts is the term "stringency" most appropriately used?

"Stringency" is best used in contexts discussing regulations, economic policies, or standards where the degree of strictness or rigor is being emphasized. For example, when discussing budget cuts, regulatory enforcement, or quality control processes.