bear the cost

USAGE SUMMARY

"bear the cost" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about taking responsibility for the expenses or cost associated with a task or obligation. For example, "I will bear the cost of the repairs myself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Taxpayers bear the cost.

The New York Times

Instead, banks should bear the cost.

The New York Times

So they bear the cost.

Yale University

shall bear the cost of the repairs.

Columbia University

MONTREAL — Who should bear the cost of a college education?

The New York Times

Travellers will bear the cost through dearer tickets.

The Economist

The tenant would bear the cost of the interior construction.

The New York Times

All of us will bear the cost, of course.

The New York Times

The Government must bear the cost of the lost satellite.

The New York Times

The deli must bear the cost of its own error.

The New York Times - Magazine

Individuals and businesses are, increasingly, having to bear the cost.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bear the cost" when you want to clearly indicate who is responsible for covering expenses, losses, or other negative consequences associated with a particular action or decision.

Common error

Avoid using "bear the cost" when referring to emotional or abstract burdens. Stick to financial or tangible costs to maintain clarity and precision. For emotional burdens, consider using phrases like "shoulder the burden" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bear the cost" functions as a verb phrase, where 'bear' acts as a transitive verb taking 'the cost' as its direct object. It signifies the action of accepting or taking on the responsibility for expenses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bear the cost" is a versatile and widely used expression that clearly assigns responsibility for covering expenses or dealing with negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to academic discussions. While alternatives like "cover the expenses" or "shoulder the burden" exist, "bear the cost" offers a direct and unambiguous way to convey financial accountability. Remember to reserve its use for tangible expenses and avoid applying it to abstract or emotional burdens.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cover the expenses

Replaces "cost" with the more general term "expenses", implying a financial obligation.

take responsibility for the expenses

More explicit and formal, highlighting the act of accepting accountability.

shoulder the burden

Emphasizes the difficulty and weight of the responsibility, adding an emotional dimension.

meet the financial obligations

A formal and business-oriented alternative focusing on fulfilling monetary responsibilities.

foot the bill

Similar to "pick up the tab", but slightly more formal.

carry the financial load

Metaphorically suggests managing the financial strain or responsibility.

pick up the tab

Informal expression for paying a bill or expense.

finance the undertaking

Implies providing the necessary funds for a project or activity.

be liable for the costs

Legalistic term indicating a legal obligation to pay.

pay the price

Focuses on negative consequences, rather than just financial costs.

FAQs

How can I use "bear the cost" in a sentence?

You can use "bear the cost" to indicate who is responsible for covering expenses. For example, "The company will "bear the cost" of the repairs" or "Taxpayers will ultimately "bear the cost" of the bailout".

What's a more formal alternative to "bear the cost"?

A more formal alternative is "assume financial responsibility". This phrase is appropriate in legal or business contexts where a precise and unambiguous expression is required.

When is it appropriate to use "bear the cost" instead of "pay the price"?

"Bear the cost" is best used when referring to financial obligations or expenses. "Pay the price" is better suited for describing negative consequences or penalties that are not necessarily monetary.

What are some phrases similar to "bear the cost"?

Similar phrases include "cover the expenses", "shoulder the burden", and "foot the bill". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.