a considerable expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a considerable expense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing costs that are significant or substantial in nature. Example: "The renovation of the old building came with a considerable expense that we had not anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

For shipping activities, not least container shipping, bunker fuel is a considerable expense.

Journal of Transport Geography

It's a considerable expense, and small businesses owners have to weigh up whether it justifies the time saving.

The Guardian

Those with exterior corridors face a choice of reflagging or demolishing the building and starting over, a considerable expense.

The New York Times

The packages are a considerable expense — the more ostentatious, the more likely to stand out — and are mailed to a large number of potential voters.

The New York Times

Moreover, to contest a designation, property owners must hire a biologist or environmentalist and an attorney - a considerable expense, with no guarantee of defeating the designation.

The New York Times

That is a considerable expense for his fledgling campaign, and almost as much as the amount of cash he had on hand at the end of March.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Another financial hurdle is that, in order to remain fresh, science centers must change their exhibits every 3 to 5 years--a considerable expense beyond running costs.

Science Magazine

Tons of earth that otherwise would have been hauled to a landfill at considerable expense to the developer have been recycled for use in a new town-house and shopping center in La Crescenta at Foothill Boulevard and Pennsylvania Avenue.

Los Angeles Times

But one of several reasons for retaining a jockey at considerable expense is that if he is riding for you, he cannot be riding against you.

The Guardian - Sport

This gives them certainty regarding the cost, making it easier to budget during a time of considerable expense.

BBC

But once an annuity is purchased, it cannot generally be passed on to someone else, other than a spouse, without considerable expense.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a considerable expense", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being paid for and why the expense is significant. Be specific about the item or service and the reason for its high cost.

Common error

Avoid using "a considerable expense" for minor or insignificant costs. Reserve this phrase for situations where the expenditure genuinely has a substantial impact on a budget or financial situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a considerable expense" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something that requires a significant financial outlay. Ludwig examples show it describing varied scenarios, from shipping costs to campaign spending.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a considerable expense" is a commonly used phrase to denote something that incurs a significant financial cost. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in both formal and informal contexts. It's frequently found in News & Media and Science, indicating its broad applicability. When writing, ensure that the context justifies the use of "a considerable expense" by clearly explaining what the money is being spent on and why it's a notable amount. Be sure not to overstate the significance of the expense by using this phrase to describe minor costs. Alternatives include phrases like "a significant expenditure" or "a substantial cost", depending on the specific nuances you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant expenditure

Replaces "considerable expense" with "significant expenditure", emphasizing the act of spending.

a substantial cost

Substitutes "considerable" with "substantial", highlighting the magnitude of the cost.

a hefty price tag

Uses a more informal expression to indicate a high cost.

a large financial burden

Focuses on the impact of the expense, emphasizing its burdensome nature.

a costly affair

Replaces "expense" with "affair", implying a process or event that involves significant costs.

a major investment

Highlights the investment aspect of the expense, suggesting a long-term benefit.

a pricey undertaking

Similar to "costly affair" but emphasizes the activity or project being expensive.

an exorbitant fee

Indicates that the fee is excessively high or unreasonable.

a king's ransom

Uses a hyperbole to describe an extremely high cost.

a small fortune

Implies that the expense is equivalent to a significant amount of money.

FAQs

How can I use "a considerable expense" in a sentence?

You can use "a considerable expense" to describe something that costs a lot of money. For example, "The cost of renovating the old house turned out to be "a considerable expense"."

What are some alternatives to saying "a considerable expense"?

Alternatives include "a significant expenditure", "a substantial cost", or "a hefty price tag", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "considerable cost" or "considerable expense"?

Both "considerable cost" and "considerable expense" are acceptable, but "expense" often implies a specific outlay of money for a particular purpose, while "cost" is a more general term.

Which is correct, "at considerable expense" or "at a considerable expense"?

"At considerable expense" and "at "a considerable expense"" have the same meaning. "At considerable expense" may emphasize the magnitude of the expense, but both phrases are grammatically correct and commonly used.