actual expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "actual expense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the real costs incurred in a particular situation, often in financial or accounting contexts. Example: "The actual expense of the project exceeded our initial budget estimates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

But the "bums on welfare" played a role in political discourse vastly disproportionate to the actual expense of A.F.D.C., and welfare reform took that issue off the table.

The New York Times

Out of that total cost, the Treasury confessed it had little idea of the actual expense of modifying software to handle the change.

The Guardian - Tech

"In most cases the actual expense is small compared with the probable saving," J. G. Matthysse, of the New York State College of Agriculture, has said.

The New Yorker

What we have to ask ourselves is - in our 'more for me no matter what the expense to you' culture, is the actual expense our own selves?

The Guardian

Whilst some MEPs publish their actual expense claims, there is no requirement to do so.A secretive legislative process is the most pernicious aspect of European business.

The Economist

While the specific accounting mechanisms remained something of a mystery, the actual expense reports, which the Politico site obtained under the State Freedom of Information Law, do shed light on the precise nature of some of the spending.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Payment of benefits can be through reimbursement plans, which pay actual expenses, or indemnity plans, which are more expensive and pay specific daily benefits regardless of costs.

Forbes

She can deduct actual expenses totaling 50percentt of her gasoline, insurance, interest and maintenance expenses.

The New York Times

We're told the actual expenses associated with the business are relatively low.

The Guardian - Tech

Another $60 million went for school construction -- for actual expenses and bond service.

The New York Times

Start by figuring out your actual expenses and determining how they might change in the future.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "actual expense", ensure you have supporting documentation or evidence to substantiate the claim. This is particularly important in financial reporting and tax contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "actual expense" interchangeably with the "budgeted expense". The "actual expense" represents the real cost incurred, while the "budgeted expense" is an estimated cost.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "actual expense" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It refers to the real cost incurred for something, rather than a projected or budgeted amount. Ludwig examples show this phrase is used to clarify true financial outlays.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "actual expense" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to refer to the real or incurred cost of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, most frequently appearing in News & Media and Science sources. When using "actual expense", remember to contrast it with budgeted or estimated costs and ensure you have supporting documentation. Alternative phrases include "real cost" and "true cost", which can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

real cost

Focuses on the genuineness of the cost, often implying a contrast with estimated or projected costs.

true cost

Emphasizes the accurate or complete cost, potentially including hidden or indirect expenses.

incurred expense

Highlights the fact that the expense has already been experienced or undergone.

actual expenditure

Replaces "expense" with "expenditure", denoting the action of spending funds.

precise cost

Stresses the exactness and accuracy of the cost calculation.

exact expense

Similar to 'precise cost', but with a slightly stronger emphasis on leaving nothing out.

out-of-pocket cost

Emphasizes the cost directly paid by an individual or entity.

genuine expense

Focuses on the authenticity and legitimacy of the claimed expense.

validated expense

Suggests that the expense has been verified or confirmed as legitimate.

real expenditure

Uses 'expenditure' instead of 'expense', emphasizing the action of spending in a real sense.

FAQs

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

You can use "actual expense" to refer to the real cost of something, such as in the sentence: "The "actual expense" for the repair was higher than the initial estimate."

What are some alternatives to saying "actual expense"?

You can use phrases like "real cost", "true cost", or "incurred expense" as alternatives to "actual expense", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "actual expense incurred"?

While "expense" often implies that it has already been incurred, using "actual expense incurred" can add emphasis and clarity, especially when contrasting with planned or estimated expenses.

What's the difference between "actual expense" and "estimated expense"?

The "actual expense" is the final, real cost, whereas the "estimated expense" is a projected cost. The two can differ due to unforeseen circumstances or changes in plans.