at the expense of

USAGE SUMMARY

"at the expense of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe the cost of an action. For example, "He bought a new car at the expense of a month's rent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This comes at the expense of trust.

University of California, Berkeley

But at the expense of someone's life?

The New Yorker

But at the expense of your strengths?

The New York Times - Sports

At the expense of our sensibilities.

The New York Times

But not at the expense of homeowners.

The New York Times

Even at the expense of anything else.

The Guardian - Music

Thankfully not at the expense of individuality.

The Guardian - Sport

All at the expense of the founders.

The New York Times

It's not just profit at the expense of society, or at the expense of the consumer.

Harvard Business Review

This is achieved at the expense of little performance penalty.

Microprocessors and Microsystems

Cover of crops increased at the expense of pasture.

Landscape and Urban Planning

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the emotional impact of using "at the expense of". It often carries a negative connotation, so choose it deliberately to convey the intended sentiment.

Common error

A common mistake is using "at the expense of" without clearly specifying what is being negatively affected. Ensure that the sentence explicitly states the negative consequence or the loss to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the expense of" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate a consequence or trade-off. It highlights that something is achieved, gained, or done, but with a negative impact or sacrifice on something else. As Ludwig suggests, it denotes the 'cost' of an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the expense of" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that signifies a trade-off, where a gain is accompanied by a loss or negative consequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. The analysis of examples shows its prevalence in news, scientific, and academic writing, indicating its versatility across different contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure clarity by explicitly stating both the benefit and the cost to effectively communicate the intended message. While versatile, remember its negative undertones and choose it judiciously, considering synonyms when a less critical tone is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the cost of

Focuses on the monetary or resource-related cost involved.

at the sacrifice of

Emphasizes the act of giving up something valuable.

to the detriment of

Highlights the damaging or harmful effects on the affected entity.

at the loss of

Stresses the deprivation or disappearance of something.

in exchange for

Indicates a direct trade where something is given up for something else.

forfeiting

Emphasizes the act of relinquishing a right or possession.

surrendering

Suggests a yielding or giving way, often under pressure.

relinquishing

Implies a formal or willing abandonment of something.

sacrificing

Highlights the act of giving up something considered important.

compromising

Focuses on accepting a less desirable outcome to achieve a goal.

FAQs

How can I use "at the expense of" in a sentence?

Use "at the expense of" to indicate that something is achieved by sacrificing or harming something else. For example, "The company increased its profits "at the expense of" worker safety".

What are some alternatives to "at the expense of"?

Some alternatives include "at the cost of", "to the detriment of", or "at the sacrifice of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "at the expenses of" instead of "at the expense of"?

No, the correct phrase is "at the expense of". "Expense" is singular in this context because it refers to the general cost or sacrifice, not multiple individual expenses.

What is the difference between "at the expense of" and "for the sake of"?

"At the expense of" implies a negative consequence or sacrifice, while "for the sake of" suggests a benefit or positive outcome is the primary motivation. For example, doing something "at the expense of" quality is different from doing something "for the sake of" efficiency.