within the means

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "within the means" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means something that is possible or affordable to do or obtain. It can be used in various contexts, such as financial, physical, or mental abilities. Example: "We need to plan a vacation that is within our means, as we cannot afford to spend a lot of money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

This is what it means to live sustainably within the means of nature.

The Guardian

This is not within the means authorized by the Copyright Clause, and it is not constitutional.

Harvard University

And unlike the fabrication of a nuclear explosive, this is terror within the means of a soloist.

The New York Times - Magazine

A ticket to the final was 50 Afghanis, or about $1, well within the means of even a day laborer.

The New York Times

It would also be well within the means of NATO or a combined task-force composed of NATO members.

The Economist

We commit to play our part as a leading media organisation in creating a fair society that lives within the means of our planet.

The Guardian

A writer who adopts political, social or literary positions must act only within the means that are his own – that is, the written word".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The temperature dependence of spin-splitting energy is calculated for EuS magnetic barrier within the mean-field approximation.

Physica E: Low-dimensional Systems and Nanostructures

Algorithm detected fiber intersections and fiber diameter values were comparable (within the mean ± standard deviation) with those detected by human operators.

Biomaterials

We exploit our coarse-graining model so that, within the mean-field region, the age-distribution is in equilibrium and we know its explicit form.

Journal of Computational Physics

Electric double layer is theoretically described within the mean-field approach by taking into account the orientational ordering of water dipoles and asymmetric size of cations and anions.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial constraints or resource limitations, use "within the means" to clearly communicate the idea of operating within those boundaries. For example, "We need to plan a project that is within the means of our current budget".

Common error

Avoid using "within the means" when simply implying caution or frugality. It's most effective when a clear limitation or constraint is present. Don't say, "We should live within the means" when you simply mean "We should be more careful with our spending."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within the means" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun. Ludwig shows it often describes an action or item's affordability or feasibility, indicating that it is accessible or achievable given certain resource limitations. For instance, “a ticket was well within the means of a day laborer.”

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "within the means" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to express affordability, feasibility, or capability within certain limitations. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and very commonly used, especially in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias contexts. It often specifies resource constraints and clarifies whether something is achievable given existing resources. When writing, remember to use it when clearly indicating limitations and avoid substituting it for simple frugality. Ludwig AI also suggests using alternative phrases such as "affordable", "feasible", or "within budget" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within budget

Directly relates to financial limitations and staying under a certain spending limit.

affordable

Focuses specifically on the financial aspect.

feasible

Highlights the practicality or possibility of something.

achievable

Emphasizes the attainability or accomplishability within given constraints.

attainable

Indicates possibility of achieving something with existing resources.

manageable

Suggests something can be handled or controlled with available resources.

not exceeding resources

Emphasizes staying below the maximum limit of available resources.

economical

Highlights cost-effectiveness and efficient use of resources.

keeping costs down

Specific to minimizing expenses.

capable of

Focuses on having the ability or capacity to do something.

FAQs

How can I use "within the means" in a sentence?

Use "within the means" to indicate that something is affordable or achievable given certain limitations. For instance, "Buying a new car is not "within our means" right now."

What's a good alternative to "within the means"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "affordable", "feasible", or "within budget".

What does it mean to live "within the means"?

Living "within the means" refers to spending only as much money as you earn, avoiding debt, and managing resources responsibly.

Is it better to say "within our means" or "within our budget"?

While both are correct, "within our means" is a broader term encompassing all available resources, while "within our budget" specifically refers to financial limitations.