defray costs for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defray costs for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of covering or reimbursing expenses related to a specific purpose or event. Example: "The organization will defray costs for participants attending the conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The fees also defray costs for signing up new customers, companies said.

The New York Times - Tech

For example, developing a three-quarter-acre lot next to the marina, acquired by the county in 1997, might help defray costs for the project.

The New York Times

The law aims to reduce healthcare costs by signing up young and healthy Americans to defray costs for older, sicker residents.

BBC

How it works: AngelScholars allows so-called angels (which can be anyone) to support students' education by creating a "scholarship" — say, to buy uniforms for a certain school, or to help defray costs for students attending summer school at New York University.

TechCrunch

(States that are granted the waivers must also set up special high-risk insurance pools to try and help defray costs for these people).

Vice

The IOC is made up of unpaid volunteers and pays for its own accommodations, he said, adding that the committee plans to contribute more than $880 million to defray costs for the 2022 Games.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

60 In Australia, similar arrangements are in place to defray cost for patients in rural or remote areas who are required to travel for their healthcare.

BMJ Open

Governor McGreevey made it clear that there was no money in state coffers to help defray costs of snow removal for county and local governments.

The New York Times

The money is expected to principally defray costs of education programs and neuropsychological testing for athletes.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Calvo says these rebates can be "a really, really great option" to defray costs, especially for larger mortgages.

The New York Times

One could argue that a cornerstone of America is aversion to taxes, and America has the deeply ingrained system of scholarships and grants to defray costs to equalize opportunity for poorer students.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing grant proposals or financial reports, use "defray costs for" to clearly communicate how funds will be used to alleviate specific financial burdens. For example: "This grant will help "defray costs for" travel and accommodation."

Common error

Avoid using "defray costs for" when the intention is to completely cover all expenses. "Defray" implies partially covering or reducing costs, not eliminating them entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defray costs for" functions as a verb phrase that indicates the act of alleviating or partially covering expenses. It describes an action taken to reduce the financial burden associated with a particular activity or item, as supported by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "defray costs for" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is used to describe the act of partially covering or reducing expenses related to a specific purpose. While "defray costs for" is not overly common, it appears most frequently in news and media and scientific contexts. Related phrases include "cover expenses for" and "offset costs for". When using "defray costs for", remember that it implies partial, not complete, coverage of expenses. Understanding the nuances of this phrase ensures clear and effective communication, especially in formal and financial contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cover expenses for

Focuses on fully covering the expenses, implying a complete reimbursement.

offset costs for

Suggests counterbalancing costs, rather than necessarily paying them entirely.

reimburse expenses for

Highlights the act of repaying someone for costs they have already incurred.

subsidize costs for

Implies providing financial assistance to lower the costs.

contribute towards costs for

Suggests a partial payment or donation to help with costs.

allocate funds for costs of

Focuses on assigning specific money for covering costs.

assist with expenses for

Highlights the help provided, but may not cover all costs.

help pay for expenses of

Emphasizes the action of assisting with payments.

support costs associated with

General support towards the expenses of something.

underwrite costs for

Implies guaranteeing financial support for expenses.

FAQs

What does "defray costs for" mean?

The phrase "defray costs for" means to help pay for or reduce the expenses associated with something. It implies a partial covering of costs rather than a full reimbursement.

How can I use "defray costs for" in a sentence?

You can use "defray costs for" in a sentence like this: "The scholarship will help "defray costs for" tuition and books."

What are some alternatives to "defray costs for"?

Some alternatives to "defray costs for" include "cover expenses for", "offset costs for", or "subsidize costs for" depending on the context.

Is "defray costs for" formal or informal?

"Defray costs for" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for professional or academic writing. More informal alternatives exist, but this phrase is widely acceptable.