total outlay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "total outlay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in financial contexts to refer to the complete amount of money spent or invested in a project or activity. Example: "The total outlay for the new marketing campaign exceeded our initial budget projections."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The total outlay has been less than £7m.

The Guardian - Sport

"I just wanted to buy extra," she said, estimating her total outlay at about $100.

The Guardian - Music

Asked if the total outlay would break $2,000, Mr. Reid said, "Maybe..

The New York Times

If Rojo, Di María and Blind were landed, United's total outlay would be more than £80m.

The Guardian - Sport

That brought LVMH's total outlay to $1.1 billion for its Fendi stake.

The New York Times

That means about 10 percent of your total outlay is for hardware.

The New York Times - Tech

That rise is more than the Russian's total outlay at Stamford Bridge since his takeover in 2003.

The Guardian - Sport

The estimated total outlay over two years would be £61,899, compared with £62,374 for the Norwich & Peterborough loan.

The Guardian - Money

He will spend $720 at a pharmacy on his 180 pills, giving him a total outlay of about $1,000.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Over those 13 years alone, government revenues totaled roughly $28 trillion, but total outlays were roughly $35 trillion.

Forbes

Total outlays for federal aid programs, which amounted to 2.4 billion dollars in 1951, were estimated at 27.6 billion dollars for fiscal year 1971.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure you specify the period or project to which the "total outlay" refers, avoiding ambiguity. For example, "The total outlay for the fiscal year was significantly higher than projected."

Common error

Avoid using "total outlay" when referring to the result or benefit achieved from an expenditure. "Outlay" refers to the cost, not the outcome. For the result you might prefer terms like "total benefit" or "return on investment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "total outlay" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used, confirming its role in expressing a specific quantity or sum.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

19%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "total outlay" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that refers to the complete amount of money spent or invested in a project or activity. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage is versatile, spanning from news and media to formal business settings and scientific reports. When writing, remember that while "total outlay" is similar to "total cost", it often encompasses a wider range of expenses, including both direct and indirect costs. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "total outlay" to convey financial information clearly and accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

total expenditure

Replaces "outlay" with "expenditure", offering a more formal synonym.

entire expenditure

Similar to "total expenditure", but adds emphasis on the completeness.

total cost

Focuses on the cost aspect, simplifying the phrase.

overall expense

Emphasizes the expense, suggesting a broader financial consideration.

gross expenditure

Highlights the total expenditure before any deductions.

aggregate spending

Highlights the cumulative nature of the spending involved.

total investment

Suitable when the outlay is intended as an investment.

complete disbursement

Implies a formal release of funds, emphasizing the action of spending.

full price

Focuses on the total price paid, often for a specific item or service.

final accounting

Suggests the end result of all financial transactions related to a project.

FAQs

How is "total outlay" used in financial contexts?

In finance, "total outlay" refers to the comprehensive amount of money spent or invested in a project, venture, or asset. It encompasses all direct and indirect costs associated with the investment, such as initial expenses, operational costs, and any additional expenditures incurred over time.

What is a good alternative to "total outlay"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "total expenditure", "overall expense", or "aggregate spending".

Is "total outlay" the same as "total cost"?

While closely related, "total outlay" often includes a broader range of expenses than just the "total cost". "Total cost" typically refers to the direct expenses for goods or services, while "total outlay" can encompass indirect costs and additional investments.

How do you calculate the "total outlay" for a project?

Calculating the "total outlay" involves summing up all expenses related to the project, including initial investment, operational costs, marketing expenses, salaries, and any other direct or indirect expenditures. Careful tracking and accounting are necessary for accurate calculation.