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Grammar fix

cut costs

reduce spending

to spend less money, especially by finding ways to save or by reducing unnecessary expenses.

collocationB1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • The company had to cut costs by reducing staff and limiting travel expenses.money
  • In my opinion, universities should try to cut costs by using more digital resources instead of printed materials.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: cut costs (by doing something)

WrongWe need to cut the costs of staff.

RightWe need to cut staff costs.

Usually 'cut costs' (no 'the') or 'cut [X] costs'.

Patterncut costs (by doing something)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff The firm must reduce its expenditure.

Natural The company needs to cut costs.

'Reduce its expenditure' is formal/written; 'cut costs' is the everyday business phrase.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • cut costs
    to cut costsdrasticallystaffrunning

Don't confuse it

Compare with 'save money' (more general); 'cut costs' usually means making specific reductions.

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