a major expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major expense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing significant costs associated with a project, purchase, or financial decision. Example: "The renovation of the office building turned out to be a major expense that we hadn't budgeted for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Crude oil is a major expense.

The New York Times

Health benefits are a major expense for these companies.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

For manufacturers, buying entirely new equipment is a major expense.

MIT Technology Review

"Childcare is a major expense for American working families.

The Washington Post

Since we are incurring a major expense, I decided, O.K., let's take them.

The New York Times - Arts

The trip was a major expense, "But I said to myself, 'What the heck!

The New York Times - Travel

They use a lot of cardboard packaging to ship their products, which is a major expense for the business.

The New York Times

But for many other golfers, it is a major expense that can also buy them time and peace of mind.

The New York Times

Abstract: Maintaining a fleet of buses to transport students to school is a major expense for U.S. school districts.

University of California, Berkeley

Orthopedic implants, given the aging population, are among the fastest-growing category of medical implants and a major expense for taxpayer programs like Medicare.

The New York Times - Health

The trick will be to expand the theater audience without spending heavily on newspaper ads, a major expense for indie films in the past.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In business reports, clearly identify "a major expense" to justify requests for additional funding or to explain variances from projected costs.

Common error

Avoid simply stating something is "a major expense" without providing context or specific figures. Quantify the expense to give readers a clearer understanding of its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major expense" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific cost that is significant in amount, impact, or proportion. The phrase is commonly used to highlight financial burdens or key areas of expenditure. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

28%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a major expense" is a grammatically correct and widely used term to denote a significant financial cost. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and prevalence across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. When using this phrase, it's essential to provide context and quantification to enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "a significant expenditure" or "a substantial cost" can be used for variety, yet "a major expense" remains a versatile and effective choice for highlighting substantial financial burdens.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant expenditure

Emphasizes the act of spending a notable amount of money.

a substantial cost

Highlights the considerable financial burden associated.

a considerable outlay

Focuses on the amount of money that needs to be paid out.

a hefty price tag

Suggests a high cost, often unexpectedly so.

a large investment

Implies that the expense is for something expected to yield future returns.

a costly affair

Indicates that something is expensive and may involve various associated costs.

an exorbitant charge

Implies that the price is unreasonably high.

a big ticket item

Describes something that is notably expensive, often a single, high-value purchase.

a drain on resources

Highlights that the expense depletes available funds or materials.

a financial burden

Focuses on the negative impact the expense has on one's finances.

FAQs

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

You can use "a major expense" to describe a significant cost, such as, "Healthcare costs are "a major expense" for many families".

What can I say instead of "a major expense"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant expenditure", "a substantial cost", or "a considerable outlay" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "major cost" or "a major expense"?

Both "major cost" and "a major expense" are acceptable, but "a major expense" is often preferred in general writing. "Major cost" might be more common in technical or accounting contexts.

What factors determine if something qualifies as "a major expense"?

Whether something is considered "a major expense" depends on the context and the individual or organization's budget. It's relative to available resources and other financial obligations.