a negligible fee

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a negligible fee" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a fee that is so small that it is not significant or worth considering. Example: "The service comes with a negligible fee, making it accessible for everyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Now the tennis aspirant-boy or girl-pays a negligible fee and enters a boys' or junior local tournament, or a competition for a place on a high school or college team.

The New York Times - Magazine

You've hopefully heard this before with regard to your Facebook account and other social media sites, but it bears repeating: Whenever you are offered something free of charge or for a negligible fee, assume that you are the product.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Some charge a negligible admission fee.

The New York Times - Travel

This is done by allowing more access to patented material, through a negligible license fee.

Huffington Post

Many other European countries continue to offer free education or have negligible fees.

Independent

And he made deals that shifted costs to Citizens, a cash-rich company in which he had a negligible stake, and shifted fees to Century Communications, a cash-poor company in which he owned a big stake.

The New York Times

The agency expected that the new fees would spur only a negligible increase in citizenship applications.

The New York Times

That season Stoke's bank debt was a negligible £175,000, costing them £6,000 in interest fees.

The Guardian - Sport

Instituting volunteer visas or creating non-negligible fees for volunteer visas is another viable solution.

Huffington Post

The philosopher also uses syllogistic arguments to convince the patient that he's better off an I.R.S. auditor instead of an orthodontist, and that his fee — five hundred dollars a session — is a negligible sum.

The New Yorker

He added: "Despite fees trebling just four years ago there has been no improvement in student satisfaction, no improvement in quality, a negligible improvement in staff-student ratios and 60% of student fees already being spent on staff salaries.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing affordability or accessibility, use "a negligible fee" to highlight that the cost is so low it shouldn't be a barrier.

Common error

Avoid using "a negligible fee" when the fee, though small, still represents a significant burden for some individuals or organizations. Be mindful of the context and potential impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a negligible fee" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "fee". It describes the fee as being so small or unimportant as to be almost non-existent. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's commonly used to emphasize affordability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a negligible fee" is a phrase used to describe a cost so small it's almost not worth considering. While grammatically sound and understandable, Ludwig indicates it is not a frequently used expression. As per Ludwig AI, it is mostly used in news, science, and wiki contexts to emphasize affordability and accessibility. For alternative expressions consider using phrases like "a minimal fee" or "a nominal fee".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minimal fee

Emphasizes the fee is at the lowest possible amount.

a nominal fee

Highlights the fee is symbolic and not intended to cover the actual cost.

a trivial fee

Stresses the fee is unimportant and insignificant.

an insignificant fee

Indicates the fee has very little practical impact.

a very small fee

Directly states the fee's size.

a slight fee

Suggests the fee is barely noticeable.

a reduced fee

Focuses on the fee being lower than usual.

a discounted fee

Highlights that the fee is offered at a lower price.

a symbolic fee

Implies the fee is more for formality than actual payment.

a token fee

Suggests the fee is a gesture rather than a substantial payment.

FAQs

What does "a negligible fee" mean?

It means a fee so small it's hardly worth considering. It's practically insignificant in the overall context.

How can I use "a negligible fee" in a sentence?

You might say, "The software is available for use at "a negligible fee", making it accessible to everyone."

What's a good alternative to "a negligible fee"?

Consider using phrases like "a minimal fee", "a nominal fee", or "a small fee" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a negligible fee" in formal writing?

Yes, it's acceptable, but in some formal contexts, you might prefer "a minimal fee" or "a nominal fee" for a slightly more professional tone.