a large overhead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a large overhead' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It generally is used to refer to a large expense or cost associated with an undertaking or task. For example: We had a large overhead associated with starting this new project, so we had to make sure that our budget could cover it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The UK Film Council carried quite a large overhead".

The Guardian - Film

A large overhead lamp hung low over the Helmut Lang runway flickering on and off to a pulsating beat.

The New York Times

Nor did the several dozen people who were watching his every move on a large overhead video screen.

The New York Times

The page-one meetings now feature the home page of NYTimes.com on a large overhead screen, and editors decide what stories to post immediately.

The New Yorker

The stand-alone building, which for years had been a shoe store, now vibrates with the music and scenes of Rio's Carnival, shown on a large overhead television.

The New York Times

DJ Shadow, whose light show was spoiled by that other light show, the sun, was initially visible only on a large overhead screen, displaying video of him inside a huge onstage orb D.J.-ing a set that spanned hip-hop, trip-hop and funk.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"A theater like the Flea can allow that kind of schedule unlike a larger theater with a larger overhead," she said.

The New York Times

Moreover, if we reach a larger number of vehicles, the dissemination protocols could lead to a larger overhead.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

With achieving unequal recovery of different layers, the altered distribution weakens the code performance and results in a larger overhead.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

On the other hand, it generates a larger overhead due to not being able to piggyback it with data.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In order to improve the throughput, a minimum-mean-squared error- (MMSE) based scheme is derived, which requires a larger overhead.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When "a large overhead" is unavoidable, explore strategies to mitigate its impact, such as streamlining processes, negotiating better rates with suppliers, or seeking alternative funding sources.

Common error

Don't just mention "a large overhead" without explaining its composition. Break down the expenses into categories (e.g., administrative, marketing, operational) to provide stakeholders with a clear understanding of where the money is going.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large overhead" functions primarily as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. It denotes a considerable expense or cost associated with a business or undertaking.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a large overhead" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood term referring to significant expenses or costs, as Ludwig AI confirms. While the phrase is more common in Science and News & Media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various formal and informal communications. To enhance clarity, it's best to quantify the overhead and explain its components, and always remember to justify its existence relative to the value it generates. If the overhead cannot be justified, explore potential mitigation strategies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial burden

Replaces "overhead" with "burden", shifting the focus from cost to general encumbrance.

a significant expense

Replaces "overhead" with "expense", emphasizing the financial aspect.

considerable additional costs

Breaks down "overhead" into "additional costs" and uses "considerable" to emphasize the size.

major supplementary expenditure

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey a similar meaning, highlighting the expenditure aspect.

a hefty surcharge

Focuses on the surcharge, an addition of a cost. "Hefty" makes reference to the size of it.

a sizable financial encumbrance

Emphasizes the financial aspect and uses "encumbrance" to indicate a burden.

a tremendous cost increment

Highlights the incremental increase in cost and its magnitude.

an outsized indirect expense

Specifies that the expense is indirect and unusually large.

a noteworthy incidental payment

Focuses on the payment aspect and emphasizes its incidental nature and importance.

a critical ancillary outlay

Uses formal language to highlight the importance and supportive nature of the expenditure.

FAQs

How can I effectively communicate the impact of "a large overhead" in a presentation?

Use visuals like charts and graphs to illustrate the breakdown of costs contributing to "a large overhead". Compare it against industry benchmarks or previous projects to highlight its significance.

What are some strategies to reduce "a large overhead" in a business?

Consider options like outsourcing non-core functions, negotiating better supplier contracts, investing in automation, or relocating to a less expensive area.

Is "a large overhead" always a negative thing for a company?

Not necessarily. While high overhead can strain profitability, it can also reflect investments in infrastructure, talent, or innovation that drive long-term growth. The key is to ensure the overhead is justified by the value it generates.

What's the difference between "a significant overhead" and "a large overhead"?

While both phrases denote a considerable cost, "a significant overhead" emphasizes the impact or importance of the cost, while "a large overhead" simply focuses on the magnitude or size of the expense. They are largely interchangeable depending on what you want to emphasize.