basic expenses

USAGE SUMMARY

"basic expenses" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you could say: "I am currently trying to come up with a budget to cover all my basic expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

* Income meets basic expenses.

The New York Times

"But it covers my basic expenses".

The New York Times

Some even offer to cover basic expenses like electricity.

The New York Times

Their basic expenses run $2,000 a month or more.

The New York Times

We do try to follow a monthly budget, and we keep track of our basic expenses.

The New York Times

Ms. Calzado made barely enough in wages to cover even basic expenses.

The New York Times

"There are a lot of basic expenses you don't think about," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

The basic expenses for a family with four children in Edmonton come to £399.14 per week.

The Guardian - Opinion

State salaries of $20 a month can no longer cover basic expenses.

The Economist

"Middle-class families with two incomes still have to struggle to pay basic expenses and should be given a break".

The New York Times

According to the NUS, over 50% of students say they can't afford their basic expenses of rent and other bills.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing personal finance or budgeting, use "basic expenses" to clearly communicate the essential costs of living, such as rent, food, and utilities.

Common error

Don't forget to include less obvious but still essential costs like insurance, transportation, and basic healthcare when calculating your "basic expenses".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basic expenses" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in contexts related to budgeting, personal finance, and economic stability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "basic expenses" refers to the essential costs required to sustain life, such as housing, food, and utilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct and very commonly used phrase, particularly in contexts related to finance, economics, and budgeting. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Academic settings. When writing, ensure you include all necessary costs and avoid overlooking hidden or less obvious expenses. Consider using synonyms like "essential costs" or "living costs" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential costs

Focuses on the necessity of the expenses.

necessary outlays

Highlights the outflow of money for essential needs.

living costs

Specifically refers to expenses related to maintaining a standard of living.

minimum expenditure

Emphasizes the lowest possible amount spent.

subsistence expenses

Refers to the bare minimum needed to survive.

essential spending

Highlights the action of spending on necessities.

fundamental expenses

Stresses the foundational nature of the expenses.

primary expenses

Highlights the priority of these expenses.

basic needs

Focuses on the fundamental requirements for survival and well-being.

essential requirements

Emphasizes the necessity of these items for a particular purpose or situation.

FAQs

What are some examples of "basic expenses"?

"Basic expenses" typically include essential costs such as housing, food, utilities, transportation, and healthcare.

How can I reduce my "basic expenses"?

Strategies to reduce your "essential costs" may involve downsizing your home, cooking more meals at home, using public transport, and finding cheaper insurance options.

What's the difference between "basic expenses" and discretionary spending?

"Basic expenses" are essential for survival and daily living, while discretionary spending is for non-essential items like entertainment or dining out.

Is "basic expenses" the same as "living costs"?

While similar, "basic expenses" usually refers to the minimum costs required for survival, whereas "living costs" can include additional expenses for a certain standard of living.