finances
finances — noun
1. The money that a person, company, or organization owns and is able to spend or s
The money that a person, company, or organization owns and is able to spend or save.
Diego checked his finances before agreeing to buy the car.
collocation: check one's finances
The charity's finances are managed by a team of accountants.
passive: finances are managed
Noor took a second job to improve her family's finances.
A sudden medical bill put a strain on the Okonkwo family's finances.
The school's finances depend partly on donations from former students.
- debts
money owed rather than money owned
文法句型
someone's + finances
the + noun + 's + finances
用法筆記
Usually used in the plural form and often with a possessive (my finances, the company's finances). Rarely appears in singular.
常見錯誤
2. The set of activities, institutions, and systems through which money, credit, an
The set of activities, institutions, and systems through which money, credit, and investments move within an economy.
The global finance system was shaken by the collapse of several large banks.
collocation: global finance system
Changes in finance regulations affect how easily people can borrow money.
collocation: finance regulations
Mariana works in corporate finance and helps companies raise money for big projects.
International finance connects stock markets in cities like Tokyo, London, and New York.
- banking
more specific; refers to the business of banks rather than the whole system
- financial services
a broader term that includes insurance, investments, and advisory services
文法句型
the + finance + industry/system/sector
用法筆記
In this sense 'finance' is uncountable and singular. Distinguish from noun sense 1 (finances = available money) which is always plural.
3. The academic subject that examines how money, investments, and financial markets
The academic subject that examines how money, investments, and financial markets operate.
Kiran decided to study finance at university because she wanted to work in banking.
Ananya is writing a paper on finance for her economics class.
Tomoki completed a degree in finance and now works as an investment analyst.
The professor's research in finance focuses on how people save for retirement.
Many business schools offer courses that combine finance with accounting.
A strong background in finance can help you understand stock market trends.
- financial economics
more academic and narrower in scope
- economics
broader subject that includes finance but also covers production, trade, and consumption
文法句型
study + finance
degree in + finance
用法筆記
In this sense 'finance' is uncountable and used without an article. Often paired with 'study', 'degree in', or 'course in'.
常見錯誤
4. The process of arranging or providing the money needed to pay for something, suc
The process of arranging or providing the money needed to pay for something, such as a project, a purchase, or a business.
The company secured finance for its new factory through a bank loan.
collocation: secure finance
Yusra's start-up is looking for finance to expand into other cities.
collocation: look for finance
The hospital needs additional finance to buy new medical equipment.
Most car dealers offer finance options that let you pay over several years.
Linnea arranged short-term finance to cover her tuition fees.
文法句型
arrange + finance for + something
provide + finance
用法筆記
In this sense 'finance' is uncountable and often used with verbs like 'arrange', 'secure', 'provide', or 'obtain'. More formal than 'funding'.
finances — verb
1. To provide the money that is needed to pay for a project, activity, or purchase.
To provide the money that is needed to pay for a project, activity, or purchase.
The city government agreed to finance the construction of a new public library.
transitive: finance + [project]
Carlos financed his university studies by working part-time at a restaurant.
The research project was financed by a grant from the national science foundation.
A group of local businesses helped finance the town's summer music festival.
The Okonkwo family saved for years to finance their daughter's wedding.
文法句型
finance + something
be + financed + by + someone
用法筆記
Subject can be a person, company, or institution providing money. The object is typically a project, activity, or large purchase.
常見錯誤
2. To allow a customer to receive goods or services immediately and pay for them in
To allow a customer to receive goods or services immediately and pay for them in instalments over an agreed period.
The furniture store offered to finance the couple for the new sofa over twelve months.
pattern: finance + [person] + for + [goods]
Some car dealers will finance customers who cannot pay the full price at once.
The electronics shop financed Linnea for a new laptop with no interest for six months.
Many bicycle shops in London finance buyers, spreading the cost over several months.
The appliance company refused to finance him because he had a poor credit history.
- offer credit to
more transparent and commonly used
- sell on credit to
describes the arrangement more directly
文法句型
finance + someone + for + something
用法筆記
Less common than 'sell on credit' or 'offer financing'. The direct object is the person receiving credit, not the goods. The goods are introduced with 'for'.