a token fee

USAGE SUMMARY

"a token fee" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It refers to a small fee that is usually symbolic in nature, rather than an amount that actually covers the costs of a service or product. For example, "We often offer first time clients a token fee for our services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

For his design work, Mr. Kasai charged Mr. Liu only a token fee.

The New York Times

All students pay a token fee each semester, Kaist administrators said, but otherwise their tuition is free, financed by government scholarships.

The New York Times

The community school had only two government-paid teachers and parents were struggling to collect money to pay seven other community teachers (unqualified teachers who had often dropped out of school) a token fee.

The Guardian

In many ways, the levy is a brilliantly simple invention: a token fee that won't break anybody's bank, but instead will place a small, cool silver marker against your conscience.

The Guardian

Sixty‐three jurors worked on the 1970 prizes, serving like the Advisory Board members— without fee or expenses in the journalism categories and re ceiving "a token fee" in the nonjournalism fields.

The New York Times

Officials said that they were confident that because the land would be used for educational purposes, not profit, President Bush would be able to give the land to New York for a token fee despite an act of Congress that requires the federal government to get full market value, which is up to $500 million.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Galleries pay what Turner calls a "token fee --$400--to participate.

Los Angeles Times

There's a small token fee for watching something via the platform, but you can earn back VERA tokens by watching adverts.

Forbes

Once there, trapped and in limbo, the asylum seekers are unlawfully offered a token repatriation fee to encourage them into accepting so-called "voluntary departure packages" and relocate to third-party African countries.

The Guardian

In later life, when he chaired investigations into the UN oil-for-food programme or Arthur Andersen, an accountancy firm, he charged only a token $1 fee.Yet Mr Volcker still lacked the consolation of popularity, unlike Mr Greenspan, who was praised by the press and politicians for much of his term.

The Economist

The organization, long a subject of investigations in this country, Britain, France, Australia, South Africa, Spain and elsewhere, has maintained that Mr. Hubbard cut his ties to it in the mid-1970's, that he has received only a token consulting fee of $35,000 annually since then and that its millions of dollars a year in revenue are being spent for charitable purposes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a token fee" when you want to emphasize that the cost is very low, often representing a symbolic rather than a substantial payment. For example, a museum might charge "a token fee" for entry to ensure accessibility for all.

Common error

Avoid using "a token fee" when the fee actually covers a significant portion of the service or product cost. A "token fee" should genuinely represent a minimal or symbolic payment, not just a slightly reduced price.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a token fee" functions as a determiner and noun phrase, modifying another noun to indicate that the fee is small and often symbolic, rather than representing the actual cost. It's used to describe charges that are minimal and often serve a purpose beyond mere monetary exchange, as shown in Ludwig examples from The New York Times and The Guardian.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a token fee" refers to a very small, often symbolic payment, used to emphasize affordability or accessibility. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, scientific, and business contexts. Although synonyms like "a nominal fee" exist, "a token fee" uniquely conveys the idea of a charge so minimal it's more symbolic than financially significant. When using the term, ensure the fee is genuinely low and serves a broader purpose. Remember, it is more about symbolism than actual cost recovery. The phrase is appropriate in both formal and informal settings, contributing to its versatility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a nominal charge

Emphasizes the insignificance of the fee, highlighting it's far below the actual cost.

a symbolic payment

Highlights that the payment's value lies in its symbolism rather than its monetary worth.

a peppercorn rent

Specifically refers to a very low rent, often used in legal contexts.

a minimal contribution

Stresses the small amount contributed compared to the overall cost or effort.

a small fee

A general term for a charge that is not substantial.

a trifling sum

Implies that the amount of money is so small it's almost not worth considering.

a negligible cost

Focuses on the insignificance of the expense.

a reduced rate

Indicates a discount or lower-than-usual price.

a discounted price

Highlights the fact that the price has been reduced from its original value.

a bargain price

Suggests that the price is exceptionally low and favorable.

FAQs

How do you use "a token fee" in a sentence?

You can use "a token fee" to describe a payment that is very small and often symbolic. For example: "All students pay "a token fee" each semester, but otherwise their tuition is free."

What's the difference between "a token fee" and "a nominal fee"?

While both terms imply a small charge, "a nominal fee" generally suggests a fee that's just enough to cover costs or show commitment, whereas "a token fee" is more about symbolism than cost recovery.

What are some synonyms for "a token fee"?

Synonyms for "a token fee" include "a nominal charge", "a small fee", or "a minimal contribution", all implying a minimal cost.

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

Yes, "a token fee" is appropriate in formal writing when accurately describing a very small, symbolic payment. Its usage is confirmed by Ludwig AI in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.