a surplus in vs in surplus

Both 'a surplus in' and 'in surplus' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'A surplus in' is used when referring to a specific item or category that has an excess amount, while 'in surplus' is used to describe a general situation where there is an excess of something.

Last updated: March 23, 2024

a surplus in

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a specific item or category that has an excess amount.

Use 'a surplus in' when you want to specify the item or category that has an excess amount. For example, 'There is a surplus in the budget for this project.'

Examples:

There is a surplus in the number of volunteers for the event.
We have a surplus in inventory this quarter.
There is a surplus in the supply of raw materials.
The company experienced a surplus in profits last year.
There is a surplus in the amount of food donated.

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I do not regret the fact that there is a surplus in the EU budget, since this means smaller contributions for the individual Member States.
The fact that the EU has generated a surplus in 2000 does not mean that the consolidation of public finance is over.
While Ireland is expected to continue to register a surplus in 2007, the programme foresees that the structural position will turn into a deficit in 2008 which will increase somewhat thereafter.
We do not regret the fact that there is a surplus in the EU budget, but welcome the fact that this will lead to reduced membership fees for the EU Member States.
China has a surplus in the current account of the balance of payments which is above 6 % of GDP.
However, we must put under the microscope activities that were undertaken in the past on the basis of a surplus in this budget.
Ireland gains because it has a surplus in its trade with the rest of the Community, except the British.
The budget for 1998 foresees the maintenance of a surplus in the general government financial balance, and a debt ratio which nearly attains the reference value, while Commission forecasts indicate more favourable developments.
A. whereas the EU maintains a surplus in trade in goods with Morocco which reached €5.4 billion in 2010;
We have a surplus in goods trade with the rest of the world and, where we are allowed to compete freely, we are a match for anyone.
The public finances, which recorded a surplus in 2007, are projected to have slipped into a deficit in 2008.
There is a surplus in the textile industry of 5.4 billion but there is a deficit of 22.6 billion in the clothing industry.
The 2000 settlement presented a surplus in the payment forecasts of some EUR 11 billion; that for 2001 could end up at around EUR 14 billion, a surplus that will, logically, lighten Member States' contributions in years to come.
This is so much the case that in its first four years, before the economic and financial crisis, the government of which I was and still am the President had a surplus in its public accounts and decreased its deficit to 32% of GDP.
has a legally enforceable right to use a surplus in one plan to settle obligations under the other plan; and
When an entity has a surplus in a defined benefit plan, it shall measure the net defined benefit asset at the lower of:
Again, however, a surplus in Assigned Revenue carried over from previous years brings the total EU funded expenditure to EUR 31.54 million.
Switching to digital technology leads to a surplus in what has till now been a scarcity in frequencies available.

Alternatives:

an excess in
an abundance in
a glut in
an overflow in
a profusion in

in surplus

This phrase is correct and commonly used to describe a general situation where there is an excess of something.

Use 'in surplus' when you want to convey that there is an excess of something without specifying the item or category. For example, 'The company is currently operating in surplus.'