charge on top

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "charge on top" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically means to impose an additional cost or expense and is often used when referring to a situation in which a person or organization is receiving money for something. For example, "I asked the mechanic for a flat fee to fix my car, but he added a charge on top."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Instead of thinking that in any relationship one party or the other has to be in charge, on top, or more important, religious environmentalists have talked of "partnership," "cooperation," "recognition," "reciprocity," "interdependence" and even "love".

Huffington Post

(The price does not include an extra $300 shipping charge on top of a regular delivery charge).

The New York Times

The charge, on top of the existing £11.50 congestion charge, would apply from 2017 to cars first sold before 2005.

The Guardian

There may be a charge on top and there will be interest to pay on the loan if you don't repay it in full by a particular date.

Independent

A travel kettle, because I get annoyed at having to pay £4 for a cup of tea or a coffee and a £5 service charge on top.

Independent

The worst add another flat fee charge on top: Halifax grabs another £1.50 per purchase on top of its 2.75% fee, while Lloyds adds £1.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

BT said the review of these two contracts "may result in further substantial one-off non-cash charges" on top of the £340m already booked.

The Guardian - Business

The buyers pay loading charges on top of that and a fee to the market.

The Economist

There are, of course, transport charges on top, and employees must have suitable handsets.

The Economist

Cellphone providers, sports arenas and theaters all add charges on top of the basic price of what they sell.

The New York Times

When starting a heat, the hearth is first covered by limestone flux, and scrap is charged on top of that.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing pricing, clearly specify what the "charge on top" covers to avoid ambiguity for the customer.

Common error

Avoid stating a base price and then vaguely mentioning a "charge on top" without detailing what it includes. Always provide a clear breakdown.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "charge on top" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun, typically referring to a cost or fee. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is used correctly in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "charge on top" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate an additional cost or fee added to a base price, as determined by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct and understood, it's more common to see this phrase in news and media contexts rather than academic writing. According to the analysis, the phrase is neutral in register and is used to inform about supplementary expenses. When using "charge on top", clarity is crucial to prevent ambiguity and ensure transparency regarding the total expenses involved. It's recommended to use more direct language like "additional fee" or "extra cost" for potentially clearer communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

additional fee

Focuses on the 'fee' aspect, emphasizing a specific added cost.

extra cost

Highlights the 'cost' element, suggesting a supplementary expense.

supplementary charge

Emphasizes that the charge is added to something else already existing.

added expense

Highlights the additional financial burden.

extra surcharge

Specifies a surcharge that is added to the original price.

increased levy

Implies a government-imposed fee that has risen.

premium on

Suggests a higher price due to exclusivity or higher quality.

escalated tariff

Indicates an increased tax or duty, often in international trade.

inflated price

Highlights that the price has increased, often unexpectedly.

add-on price

Focuses on the price of an additional item or service.

FAQs

How do I use "charge on top" in a sentence?

You can use "charge on top" to indicate an extra fee or cost added to an original price. For example: "The hotel added a service charge on top of the room rate."

What is a synonym for "charge on top"?

Alternatives to "charge on top" include "additional fee", "extra cost", or "supplementary charge".

Is it better to say "charge on top" or "additional charge"?

Both "charge on top" and "additional charge" are correct, but "charge on top" implies that the additional fee is unexpected or less obvious than an upfront "additional charge".

What's the difference between "charge on top" and "included"?

"Charge on top" implies an additional cost, while "included" means there are no extra charges; the price is all-inclusive.