a large expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a large expense" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing significant costs or financial outlays in various contexts, such as budgeting, project planning, or personal finance. Example: "The renovation of the office building turned out to be a large expense that we hadn't anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

A company that repriced options would have to record a large expense, depressing reported profits.

The New York Times

And not only is it a large expense, it is also a very volatile one.

The New York Times

Graduation can be a large expense at a time when students are at their most cash-strapped.

The Guardian

A large expense that I have had to allow for while Netjetting is not the flights but the onward transport when arriving in each city.

The Guardian - Travel

"There's a large expense associated with putting a terminal in each farmer's hand," said Jeff Cole, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Farmers Marketss.

The New York Times

But that could leave him with a large expense -- deemed interest expense under the tax law -- that might not be deductible unless he had a lot of other investment income.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Under the new proposal, that company would show a larger expense in early years and a smaller one in later years.

The New York Times

Amy Jackson, a public relations representative, learned from spending trends that her husband's sailing hobby was a larger expense than they'd realized.

Forbes

When I reviewed the file, the first problem that stuck out was a rather large expense titled "corporate overhead".

The New York Times

But a second large expense looms for the industry: the 5,000-plus 5,000-plusface and sub-sea installations and 10,000km of pipelines cannot be left to rot in the sea.

The Economist

Q. -- Why do you think Delta has been successful at hedging fuel? A. -- We hedge because we think it's the right thing to do from the perspective of managing a very volatile and large expense.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing budget planning, use "a large expense" to clearly indicate substantial financial items that need careful consideration.

Common error

Avoid underestimating related costs. When planning for "a large expense", thoroughly research all associated fees, taxes, and maintenance to prevent budget overruns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large expense" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a significant financial cost or expenditure, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

24%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a large expense" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a significant cost. As highlighted by Ludwig, its primary function is to identify and emphasize the magnitude of a financial item. The usage is prevalent in news, media, and wiki contexts, indicating its broad applicability. While seemingly straightforward, overlooking hidden costs associated with "a large expense" is a frequent error. Therefore, careful planning and thorough research are essential to prevent budgetary issues. Related alternatives include "a significant cost" and "a considerable expenditure", offering subtle variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant cost

Replaces "expense" with "cost", emphasizing the financial burden.

a considerable expenditure

Uses a more formal term, "expenditure", suggesting a substantial amount of money spent.

a major outlay

Replaces "expense" with "outlay", highlighting the act of spending a significant sum.

a hefty price tag

More informal, this alternative emphasizes the high cost associated with something.

a substantial financial burden

Focuses on the impact of the expense as a burden on finances.

a costly affair

Implies the expense is part of a larger event or undertaking.

an enormous investment

Frames the expense as an investment, suggesting a potential return or long-term benefit.

a sizable debt

Highlights the creation of debt as a consequence of the expense.

a big financial commitment

Emphasizes the obligation and scale of the expense.

a heavy financial load

Focuses on the weight and difficulty associated with the expense.

FAQs

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

You can use "a large expense" to describe a significant cost, such as "The new equipment was "a large expense" for the company this year".

What are some alternatives to "a large expense"?

Alternatives include "a significant cost", "a considerable expenditure", or "a major outlay" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a large expense" or "an large expense"?

"A large expense" is correct. The article "a" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound. "An" is used before vowel sounds.

What's the difference between "a large expense" and "a small expense"?

"A large expense" indicates a significant amount of money spent, while "a small expense" refers to a minor or negligible cost. The phrases are directly antonymous.