use funds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "use funds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of utilizing financial resources for a specific purpose or project. Example: "We need to decide how to best use funds allocated for community development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Over half say they plan to use funds to secure a future income for their retirement.

The Guardian - Money

Settlements that are paid in such cases often use funds from church insurance policies.

The New York Times

The administration, it argues, is free to use funds from other departments.

The New York Times

Southcom's request was to use funds that Congress had already appropriated for "overseas contingency" matters.

The New York Times

About 35%percentthethe largest proportion, are for current use funds.

Cornell University

a Federal agency may use funds made available to the agency under section 503.

Cornell University

Alumni Fund - Current use funds that go directly to student scholarships.

Yale University

These customers, according to MIT's Poverty Action Lab, are more likely to use funds profitably and to repay debt.

The Guardian - Opinion

So revenue from UK drug use funds corrupt officials, warlords and the Taliban, undermining Nato's military operation.

The Guardian - Opinion

RGL will use funds provided by professional litigation investors to seek fresh evidence from whistleblowers and through other investigative means.

The Guardian - Business

Her lawyers say this amounts to a breach of the requirement to use funds for parliamentary purposes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, be specific about how you plan to "use funds". Provide clear details about the intended purpose and expected outcomes to enhance clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid generic statements like "we will "use funds" effectively." Instead, illustrate specifically what constitutes effective use, such as reducing costs by X% or increasing efficiency by Y%.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "use funds" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of utilizing financial resources. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "use funds" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression for indicating the utilization of financial resources. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It appears across diverse contexts, from news reports and academic papers to business communications, with a generally neutral register. For more formal settings, alternatives such as "allocate capital" or "employ resources" may be considered. When using "use funds", ensure clarity by specifying the intended purpose and anticipated outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allocate capital

Focuses on the distribution of financial resources for specific purposes, emphasizing planning and strategy.

employ resources

Highlights the active deployment of available means, including financial ones, to achieve a goal.

spend money

A more general term indicating the act of paying out funds, without necessarily implying a specific purpose.

invest resources

Implies using funds with the expectation of future returns or benefits.

devote resources

Emphasizes dedicating financial means to a particular cause or project, suggesting commitment.

apply funding

Highlights the act of putting financial resources into action for a defined objective.

draw on funds

Suggests accessing or withdrawing money from a specific source or account.

tap into reserves

Implies utilizing saved or set-aside financial resources, especially in times of need.

channel finances

Focuses on directing funds towards a specific area or recipient.

exercise financial means

A more formal way of expressing the utilization of available funds.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "use funds" to sound more formal?

You can use more formal alternatives like "allocate capital", "employ resources", or "devote resources" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "utilize funds" instead of "use funds"?

Yes, "utilize funds" is a correct and slightly more formal alternative to "use funds". Both are acceptable in most contexts, but consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

What are some common contexts where one might "use funds"?

Common contexts include project management, budgeting, charitable giving, and financial planning. The specific application will dictate the nuances of the language used.

Which is a better phrase, "use funds for" or "use funds to"?

Both "use funds for" and "use funds to" are grammatically correct. "Use funds for" is typically followed by a noun or gerund (e.g., "use funds for research"), while "use funds to" is followed by a verb (e.g., "use funds to expand the business").