uncontrolled spending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "uncontrolled spending" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe spending that is excessive and not regulated or managed properly, often in the context of budgets or financial discussions. Example: "The government's uncontrolled spending has led to a significant increase in national debt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The long-term goal is to prevent the kind of uncontrolled spending that crippled Greece from happening again.

The New York Times

Those on fixed incomes or tight budgets should not be forced to make a choice between moving or excessive uncontrolled spending.

The New York Times

But perhaps chastened by the results of years of uncontrolled spending — four wins in 2009 and the firing of Coach Jim Zorn — the Redskins changed course.

The New York Times - Sports

Argentina's balance of foreign trade initially improved, but by 1980 the overvalued peso had devastated Argentine industry, while uncontrolled spending had plunged the country into debt.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The federal budget is suffering from the weight of uncontrolled spending and huge deficits; the war of choice in Iraq is a mess; the war of necessity in Afghanistan is faltering; and Congress still can't effectively police its own ethics.

The New York Times

Our Board of Education, our administrators, our teaching and related personnel are committed to quality education and believe the latest proposal is well within reasonable guidelines without so-called "excessive or uncontrolled spending".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

We've all heard of lottery gazillionaires whose sudden fortunes bring them only misery--uncontrolled spending, alienated family members, and ultimate grief.

Science Magazine

Brace yourself: This is another story of uncontrolled Pentagon spending with almost no public attention.

The Washington Post

Uncontrolled health spending isn't simply crowding out other government programs; it's also dampening overall living standards.

The Washington Post

Festering deficits, a poorly designed tax system, an addiction to oil and uncontrolled entitlement spending are all symptoms of what is wrong with our current politics.

The New York Times

Price and currency controls, state ownership of industry, doomed attempts at self-sufficiency and uncontrolled public spending have been the norm since independence.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing budgets or financial matters, use "uncontrolled spending" to highlight a lack of regulation or management. It effectively conveys the idea that expenses are growing without restraint, potentially leading to negative financial consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "uncontrolled spending" when describing cost-saving measures. "Uncontrolled spending" implies a lack of regulation, while cost-saving implies deliberate measures to lower expenses. Misusing the term can confuse your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uncontrolled spending" functions as a noun phrase, where "uncontrolled" modifies the noun "spending". Ludwig AI shows that it's used to describe situations where expenditure lacks regulation or limits.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Uncontrolled spending" is a phrase used to describe expenditure lacking regulation or limits, often leading to negative financial consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across different contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, encyclopedia, and science, with a neutral to professional register. Alternatives include "excessive spending" and "rampant spending". To ensure correct usage, avoid confusing it with terms like "frugal spending", which implies cost-saving measures. Overall, the phrase effectively conveys a lack of financial oversight and can serve as a warning against potential financial risks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive spending

Emphasizes that the spending goes beyond what is considered normal or acceptable.

rampant spending

Suggests spending that is widespread and difficult to control.

unrestrained spending

Highlights the lack of limits or controls on expenditure.

out-of-control spending

Implies a loss of management and regulation of spending.

unfettered spending

Suggests spending that is free from any restrictions or limitations.

unbridled spending

Similar to unfettered, but emphasizes the intensity and lack of restraint.

wasteful spending

Focuses on the inefficiency and lack of value in the spending.

profligate spending

Highlights the recklessness and extravagance of the spending.

lavish spending

Suggests that a lot of money is spent in a way that is likely to impress other people.

irresponsible spending

Emphasizes the lack of care and consideration in the spending decisions.

FAQs

How can I use "uncontrolled spending" in a sentence?

You can use "uncontrolled spending" to describe situations where expenses are growing without any limits or management, such as "The government's "uncontrolled spending" led to a significant increase in the national debt."

What are some alternatives to "uncontrolled spending"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "excessive spending", "rampant spending", or "unrestrained spending" to convey a similar meaning.

What is the difference between "uncontrolled spending" and "wasteful spending"?

"Uncontrolled spending" focuses on the lack of regulation and limits on expenses, while "wasteful spending" emphasizes the inefficiency and lack of value derived from the expenditure. The former can be due to external factors or simply bad management, the latter one points to an inherent lack of value in the expenditure.

Is "uncontrolled spending" a formal or informal term?

"Uncontrolled spending" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's often used in news articles, financial reports, and general discussions about money management.