a substantial expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial expense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing costs that are significant or considerable in amount. Example: "The renovation of the office building will incur a substantial expense that we need to budget for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But if he doesn't want to drive to Peekskill -- a substantial expense over the long term -- he must pay close to $100 a ton to dump trash at transfer stations owned by other companies, including Allied and Waste Management.

The New York Times

Shortly after receiving the loan guarantee, Solyndra closed a factory and canceled plans to go public, leading critics in Congress to charge that the loan guarantee -- a substantial expense to taxpayers -- had gone to a demonstrably unqualified company.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The suspect typically must retain an attorney at substantial expense to protect against false or misleading accusations.

Huffington Post

A recent outbreak of rotavirus diarrhea in a daycare center in Denmark demonstrated that even small outbreaks of rotavirus in childcare facilities can be associated with substantial expense on a personal and a public scale due to parental loss of work (4 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

In announcing that Mr. Dubow would receive a hefty package, double the previous year, Gannett hardly shied away from part of what was driving the award: "The company achieved substantial expense reductions through a variety of efforts, including continued centralization and consolidation efforts and salary freezes, positioning the company for growth as economic conditions improve".

The New York Times

The IRS told lawmakers it would not reprogram its system to account for the possibility the AMT would not be patched because "if Congress were to act at some point next year to enact a new AMT patch, the time and substantial expense necessary for the IRS to reprogram its systems... would ultimately be wasted".

Huffington Post

The cost-limiting monobrominated imidazole intermediate (compound 5) and the efficiencies attributed to obtaining chirally pure API at a late stage in the synthesis add substantial expense to the five-step synthesis of MK-8742.

Hepatology

The large numbers of fast-track prosecutions represent a substantial extra expense, but the program's supporters say it generally targets foreigners with serious criminal records who are likely to commit more crimes.

The New York Times

The profit reflected substantial expense cuts and came despite a decline in revenue.

The New York Times

The uptake of basic benefits granted if a person incurs substantial expenses as a result of health problems was 11.0% among the survivors compared with 2.2% in the cancer-free population.

British Journal of Cancer

It would require broad mobilization, substantial expense, and perhaps even the development of a new profession.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial expense", quantify the cost if possible to provide context and emphasize the magnitude. For example, "The new equipment represents a substantial expense of $50,000".

Common error

While "a substantial expense" is generally acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "significant cost" or "considerable outlay" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial expense" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "expense". It typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, describing something that requires significant financial resources. This aligns with Ludwig's indication of the phrase being correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial expense" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a significant financial outlay. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is correct and suitable for various contexts. While synonyms like "significant expenditure" or "considerable cost" exist, "a substantial expense" effectively communicates the magnitude of the cost involved. Its usage spans across news, science, and business domains, making it a versatile phrase in English writing. While the phrase is common, remember to provide context and quantify the expense whenever possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant expenditure

Emphasizes the act of spending a considerable amount.

considerable cost

Highlights the magnitude of the financial burden.

major financial outlay

Focuses on the investment aspect and its scale.

large monetary commitment

Stresses the obligation to spend a significant sum.

hefty price tag

Informal way to emphasize the high cost.

premium investment

Focuses on a high-value, higher-priced financial undertaking.

significant economic burden

Emphasizes the negative impact a large expenditure may cause.

material financial implication

Draws attention to the significant effect on finances.

costly endeavor

Highlights the expensive nature of a particular project or activity.

expensive undertaking

General term for a project which will require a large amount of money.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial expense" to describe something that costs a lot. For example: "The new marketing campaign will be "a substantial expense" for the company."

What are some alternatives to "a substantial expense"?

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

Is it better to say "a substantial cost" or "a substantial expense"?

Both "a substantial cost" and "a substantial expense" are correct. "Cost" generally refers to the amount required to purchase something, while "expense" refers to the money spent on something. The choice depends on the specific context.

What makes an expense "substantial"?

An expense is considered "substantial" when it is significant in amount relative to a budget, income, or other relevant financial benchmark. The term is relative and depends on context.