applied a fee

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "applied a fee" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of charging or imposing a fee for a service or transaction. Example: "The company applied a fee for late payments to encourage timely submissions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

While this was not technically a "wrap fee" case, it illustrates the importance of accurately calculating the assets under management when applying a fee based on those assets.

Harvard University

Failing to return your form by the deadline will incur an initial charge of £100, but if you still haven't returned the form by 31 July, another £100 penalty will be slapped on, after which HMRC is able to apply a fee of as much as £60 a day.

Independent

In November Facebook announced that it would charge a $375 fee for developers to apply – a fee that we likened to a protection racket.

TechCrunch

But there's a much better way to deal with it that might not inspire a "hell, no" reaction: apply a fee to all forms of energy based on how much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases each releases into the climate, and then recycle the revenues as cuts in payroll and other taxes.

Huffington Post

A bill that would have applied a VMT fee to all new vehicles doing 55mpg and above died in the last legislative session; instead 5,000 volunteers will join a new VMT scheme in July 2015.

The Economist

In terms of fees, Kickstarter applies a 5% fee for successfully funded projects, while failed projects incur no fees but are subject to an all-or-nothing policy- which is is exactly what it sounds like; if a project fails to meet its funding goal, none of the donation commitments made are actually processed.

Forbes

A spokesman said: "We made a mistake and applied a contract break fee to [the reader's] account when he was not in contract, and a systems fault meant his refund was not processed as promised.

Independent

Kickstarter says its fees are not increasing as a result of the move – it will apply a 5% fee to the total amount of funds raised and Stripe will apply credit card processing fees (about 3%-53%-5%

TechCrunch

Most of these companies charge a monthly fee to maintain your site after it is set up on their servers, and may apply a transaction fee for handling orders.

The New York Times - Tech

That's because some cards apply a purchase fee on each transaction, which is in addition to the "currency conversion" – or non-sterling transaction fee – imposed when you buy something in anything other than pounds.

The Guardian - Money

The Money Shop charges £29.99 on £100 and applies a default fee of £29 plus default interest of at least 1% a day.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "applied a fee", ensure the context clearly indicates who is applying the fee and for what reason. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "applied a fee" in contexts where a more specific term like "charged", "levied", or "imposed" would be more appropriate. The choice of words can significantly impact the perceived tone and formality of the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "applied a fee" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of imposing a cost for a service, product, or violation. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is generally correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "applied a fee" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the action of imposing a charge. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's essential to consider the context to ensure the most appropriate term is used. Alternatives like "charged a fee" or "levied a fee" may be more suitable depending on the formality and specificity required. Although "applied a fee" is correct, it appears less frequently than other options, so choosing the right wording can improve clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imposed a charge

Replaces "applied" with "imposed", emphasizing the authoritative nature of the action.

levied a fee

Substitutes "applied" with "levied", suggesting a more formal or official imposition of the fee.

assessed a charge

Replaces "applied" with "assessed", focusing on the evaluation and determination of the fee.

charged a fee

Uses "charged" instead of "applied", a common and direct way to express the action of requiring payment.

exacted a payment

Replaces "applied a fee" with "exacted a payment", implying a forceful or demanding collection of money.

placed a tariff

Uses "placed a tariff" to mean the same as "applied a fee", particularly in trade or customs contexts.

introduced a surcharge

Replaces "fee" with "surcharge", indicating an additional charge on top of the original price.

added a cost

Uses "added a cost" for a general expression of including an extra expense.

stipulated a payment

Replaces "applied" with "stipulated", which indicates specifying a fee as a condition.

put a price on

Replaces "applied a fee" with a more colloquial "put a price on", implying assigning a cost to something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "applied a fee" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "levied a fee" or "imposed a charge", which convey a greater sense of authority or official action.

What's a simpler way to say "applied a fee"?

A simpler and more direct alternative is "charged a fee", which is widely understood and suitable for most contexts.

Is there a difference between "applied a fee" and "added a fee"?

While both indicate an extra cost, "applied a fee" often implies a standard or pre-determined charge, whereas "added a cost" suggests a more flexible or circumstantial addition.

When is it appropriate to use "applied a fee" instead of "charged a fee"?

"Applied a fee" is suitable when the fee is implemented according to a specific rule or policy. "Charged a fee" is more general and can apply to any instance where a payment is requested.