bear the costs

USAGE SUMMARY

"bear the costs" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to a situation in which one assumes financial responsibility for something. For example: "The government has decided to bear the costs of upgrading the infrastructure in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Part three: Who should bear the costs?

The Washington Post

So the real issue is who should bear the costs.

The New York Times

The losers would bear the costs of the proceedings.

The New York Times

And yet, indirectly, we also bear the costs.

The New York Times

Ultimately, it is investors who bear the costs of meritless litigation.

Harvard University

This means that people should bear the costs of their actions.

Harvard University

They would bear the costs, but savings would go to insurers.

The New York Times - Tech

And because no individuals will be prosecuted, shareholders, not executives, will bear the costs.

The Economist

"No one wants to bear the costs of the reforms," Mr. Naím said.

The New York Times

They are possible only when others bear the costs associated with a low social ranking.

The New York Times

But it is taxpayers, not police or prosecutors, who bear the costs of litigation and compensation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about financial responsibility, use "bear the costs" to clearly indicate who is assuming the financial burden or expenses. This phrase often implies a deliberate decision to take on those costs.

Common error

Avoid using "bear the costs" when you actually mean to reduce or minimize expenses. "Bear the costs" implies covering the expenses, while reducing costs implies finding ways to lower them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bear the costs" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of assuming responsibility for expenses or financial burdens. Ludwig confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

28%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bear the costs" is a versatile verb phrase used to express the assumption of financial responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, especially in news, academic, and scientific writing. Alternatives like ""pay the costs"" and "cover the costs" can be used interchangeably, but it's important to distinguish it from phrases that imply reducing costs rather than assuming them. When using the phrase, consider the specific context to ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning of who is covering the expenses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffer the costs

This alternative emphasizes the negative impact or hardship associated with assuming the costs.

pay the costs

This alternative is a more direct and common way of expressing the act of covering expenses.

cover the costs

Focuses on having enough resources to be able to pay for costs.

bear the burdens

This phrase broadens the scope to include non-financial burdens, such as effort or responsibility.

assume the costs

Highlights the act of taking on the responsibility for the costs.

defray the costs

This implies reducing the costs partially, rather than covering them entirely.

shoulder the expenses

This alternative emphasizes the weight or responsibility of the financial burden.

endure the costs

This emphasizes the act of going through the experience of covering costs, often with a sense of difficulty.

foot the bill

An informal alternative, implying the act of paying the entire amount.

be liable for the costs

This phrase emphasizes legal or contractual obligation to pay.

FAQs

How do you use "bear the costs" in a sentence?

You can use "bear the costs" to indicate who is responsible for covering expenses, such as "The company will "pay the costs" of the project" or "The government will "assume the costs" of the disaster relief efforts".

What can I say instead of "bear the costs"?

You can use alternatives like ""pay the costs"", "cover the costs", or ""assume the costs"" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "bear the cost" instead of "bear the costs"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but "bear the costs" is more commonly used when referring to multiple expenses or a general financial burden. "Bear the cost" is suitable when referring to a single, specific expense.

What's the difference between "bear the costs" and "shoulder the burden"?

"Bear the costs" specifically refers to financial responsibility, while "shoulder the burden" is a broader term that can include both financial and non-financial responsibilities or hardships.