certain expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain expense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific type of cost or expenditure that is not precisely defined but is understood in context. Example: "The company needs to account for a certain expense related to the upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It has become common for managers to tell their owners to ignore certain expense items that are all too real," Mr. Buffett wrote in his annual report published this year.

The New York Times

Currency devaluation at its core is a blast to our economic past at the certain expense of our economic future.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But officials conceded that certain expenses looked questionable in an economic downturn.

The New York Times

Last time, the solution was to play some accounting tricks and ignore certain expenses.

The New York Times

But certain expenses could be eliminated -- cars, gasoline, water bills, trash pickup, cable and land line.

The New York Times

They also must report certain expenses annually and take an ethics course every two years.

The New York Times

Excluding certain expenses, it would have lost 7 to 8 cents.

The New York Times

Other callers offered to underwrite certain expenses, like the telephone bill, he said.

The New York Times

The investigation focuses on certain expenses included in AeroVironment's reconciliation of projected rates to actual rates for fiscal year 2006.

The New York Times

But in each of those years, Warnaco, like many other companies, recorded certain expenses as very large nonrecurring charges.

The New York Times

Excluding certain expenses, profit would have been $10.3 million, or 2 cents a share, better than Wall Street analysts had expected.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "certain expense", ensure the context provides some understanding of the nature of the expense, even if it's not explicitly detailed.

Common error

Avoid using "certain expense" when a more specific term would provide clarity. If the nature of the expense is known, use a precise descriptor instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain expense" functions as a noun phrase, where "certain" acts as a determiner specifying that the expense exists but may not be fully detailed. Ludwig AI confirms its use in financial and business contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "certain expense" is a grammatically sound, though infrequently used, expression that serves to acknowledge a cost without specifying its exact nature. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, particularly within news and media. When using "certain expense", clarity is key; ensure the surrounding context offers some indication of what the expense entails. For increased precision, alternatives like "specific cost" or "particular expenditure" may be more suitable. This approach ensures that your writing is both accurate and easily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific cost

Replaces "certain" with a more direct indicator of specificity.

particular expenditure

Substitutes both words with synonyms emphasizing a distinct outlay.

definite expense

Uses "definite" to highlight the assuredness of the cost.

known cost

Emphasizes that the expense is acknowledged and accounted for.

unspecified cost

Highlights the lack of detail about the expense.

undisclosed expense

Suggests the expense is being kept secret.

itemized expense

Focuses on the expense being broken down into detailed components.

estimated cost

Implies the expense is approximated rather than exact.

projected expense

Indicates the expense is forecasted for the future.

anticipated cost

Similar to projected expense, but with a sense of expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "certain expense" in a sentence?

You can use "certain expense" to refer to a cost that is known to exist but not specifically detailed at the moment. For example: "The budget includes a provision for a "certain expense" related to unforeseen repairs."

What are some alternatives to "certain expense"?

Alternatives include "specific cost", "particular expenditure", or "definite expense", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "certain expense" or "specific expense"?

"Specific expense" is generally clearer and more direct. "Certain expense" implies that while the expense exists, the details may not be fully known or disclosed.

When is it appropriate to use "certain expense" instead of a more precise term?

Use "certain expense" when you want to acknowledge that a cost exists without detailing it, perhaps due to confidentiality or because the exact amount isn't yet determined. However, provide as much context as possible.