a one-time expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a one-time expense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a cost that is incurred only once and will not be repeated in the future. Example: "The renovation of the office was a one-time expense that significantly improved our working environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

SEO can be a one-time expense that keeps on giving for years to come.

Huffington Post

A one-time expense will save your wasting expensive odorless thinner and artist grade oils.

WikiHow

Facebook's best hope is that as a one-time expense, investors will shrug off the restricted stock units and focus on how the actual business is doing.

The New York Times

But like investing in a chef 's knife, it's a one-time expense you won't regret.

The New York Times

"It's a one-time expense," said Mr. Skabry, a kayak instructor from Center Moriches.

The New York Times

A computer is not a one-time expense; it involves a subscription to ever-changing technology.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Those results, however, were dragged down by a large one-time expense after the bank paid off a financial crisis lifeline it had received from the investor Warren E. Buffett.

The New York Times

Halliburton said it would report an $8.5 million one-time expense as a result of Mr. Cheney's departure.

The New York Times

Excluding the one-time expense, Exxon Mobil posted operating income of $2.71 billion, or 77 cents a share, up from operating earnings a year earlier of $2.03 billion, or 58 cents a share.

The New York Times

The one-time expense of completing the purchase is expected to total $100 million before taxes.

The New York Times

The one-time expense for reserved seats will be as low as $900 for licenses in the end zone sections.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial reports, clearly distinguish between recurring expenses and "a one-time expense" to provide an accurate financial picture. This helps stakeholders understand the true cost of operations.

Common error

Avoid categorizing expenses that happen annually (like yearly subscriptions) as "a one-time expense". Use "annual expense" instead to reflect the correct frequency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a one-time expense" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies and categorizes an expenditure that is incurred only once. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, including business, finance, and personal budgeting.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a one-time expense" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe an expenditure that occurs only once. Ludwig AI confirms this. It's frequently used in news, science, and wiki contexts, and is considered to have a neutral to professional register. When writing about finances, be sure to differentiate "a one-time expense" from recurring costs and avoid misclassifying annual fees. Alternatives like "non-recurring cost" or "single outlay" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Non-recurring cost

Emphasizes the non-repeating nature of the cost.

Single outlay

Highlights the one-time nature of the expenditure using a more formal term.

Isolated expenditure

Focuses on the standalone and unique aspect of the expense.

One-off payment

Replaces "expense" with "payment" focusing on the act of paying.

Unique charge

Uses "charge" instead of "expense", implying a debit or fee.

Exceptional cost

Highlights the unusual or infrequent nature of the expense.

Initial investment

Suggests the expense is the first of its kind in a project.

Sporadic payment

Highlights irregularity and infrequent nature of the payment.

Irregular expenditure

Focuses on how uncommon is the expense.

Unusual expense

Highlights the not commonplace nature of the expense.

FAQs

How can I use "a one-time expense" in a sentence?

You can use "a one-time expense" to describe costs that occur only once. For example, "The installation fee was "a one-time expense", but the service itself is billed monthly."

What's the difference between "a one-time expense" and recurring expenses?

"A one-time expense" is an expense that occurs only once, while recurring expenses are those that happen regularly, such as monthly rent or "annual fees".

What can I say instead of "a one-time expense"?

Alternatives include "non-recurring cost", "single outlay", or "isolated expenditure", depending on the context.

Is it correct to refer to an initial setup fee as "a one-time expense"?

Yes, it is correct. An initial setup fee that you pay only once can accurately be described as "a one-time expense".