cover the difference

USAGE SUMMARY

"cover the difference" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation in which one party compensates the other for a discrepancy or gap in money or resources. For example, "After deciding who would pay for the pizza, we had to cover the difference between what they owed and what I owed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

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BMJ Open

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BMJ Open

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BMJ Open

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The New York Times

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Princeton University

Muehlegg covered the 20 kilometers in 49 minutes 20.4 seconds.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cover the difference" in financial contexts, be specific about what difference you are referring to. For example, specify "cover the difference in costs" or "cover the price difference."

Common error

Avoid using "cover the difference" without clearly specifying what the difference is between. Ambiguity can lead to misinterpretations and disagreements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cover the difference" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It indicates the act of compensating for a discrepancy, deficit, or variance between two amounts or values. While there are no exact matches from Ludwig, the related phrases offered suggest a practical way to compensate a difference.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cover the difference" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe compensating for a discrepancy or shortfall. While Ludwig provides examples of similar phrases, there are no exact matches for the query. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is appropriate for various contexts, ranging from professional to informal settings. When using the phrase, clarity is essential to avoid ambiguity about what difference is being addressed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bridge the gap

Uses a metaphor of bridging a literal space, implying a connection between two distinct points.

make up the shortfall

Focuses specifically on addressing a lack of something, especially funds or resources.

offset the disparity

Highlights the act of counterbalancing an inequality or imbalance.

compensate for the deficiency

More formal and emphasizes the act of providing something to remedy a lack.

equalize the variance

Mathematically oriented, suggesting an attempt to make two differing quantities equal.

balance out the inequality

Implies restoring equilibrium where there is an imbalance or unfairness.

rectify the imbalance

Suggests correcting something that is out of kilter, often in a systematic way.

reimburse the expenditure

Specifically refers to repaying costs or expenses that have been incurred.

amortize the outstanding balance

Relates to paying off a debt over time, usually through regular payments.

clear the deficit

Addresses the act of eliminating a financial shortfall or debt.

FAQs

How can I use "cover the difference" in a sentence?

You can use "cover the difference" when one party is compensating for a deficit. For example, "The company agreed to cover the difference in healthcare costs".

What's a simpler way to say "cover the difference"?

You could use phrases like "make up the shortfall" or "bridge the gap", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "cover the difference" in formal writing?

Yes, "cover the difference" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in business or financial contexts, as it clearly conveys the idea of compensation or reimbursement.

What does it mean to "cover the difference" in a financial context?

In a financial context, "cover the difference" means to provide the funds or resources necessary to make up for a shortfall or discrepancy, such as paying the remaining balance on a bill or reimbursing an expense.