defray the charges

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defray the charges" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of covering or paying for expenses or costs associated with a service or event. Example: "The organization will defray the charges for all participants attending the conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Nets can defray the charge by paying for two suites at the Prudential Center on behalf of the Sports Authority and by donating money to Newark Symphony Hall.

The New York Times

While a city may decide to charge users to defray the cost, a large company with a big campus could decide to just offer the system to its users for free.

TechCrunch

Johns Hopkins University student organizations may not collect admissions fees (cover charges) in order to defray the cost of alcohol.

Johns Hopkins University

They proposed that the government pay medical school tuition and then defray the costs of $2.5 billion per year by charging doctors for specialty training.

Stanford University

Procurement Services handling fees Handling fees are charged in order to defray the incremental direct and indirect costs that UNICEF incurs by providing services.

Unicef

And charges levied by state authority to defray the cost of regulation or of facilities afforded in aid of interstate or foreign commerce have consistently been held to be permissible.

Cornell University

Crop biotechnology companies like Monsanto already charge a premium on their seeds to defray the cost of research.

The New York Times

Most rescues charge a fee to adopt their dogs to defray the costs involved and ensure a commitment from the adopting family.

WikiHow

As the primary date neared, her lead began to dwindle under the charges, and she released additional tax returns from the 1980s to try to defray the attacks.

Wikipedia

Helping to defray the cost was $36 billion generated through an increase in mortgage guarantee fees charged by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The New York Times

A 1977 Supreme Court decision, Abood v. Detroit Board of Education, said that public sector unions could charge and collect fees from nonunion members to help defray the cost of collective bargaining and other activities.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "defray the charges", ensure the context clearly indicates which costs are being covered and by whom. This avoids ambiguity and clarifies financial responsibility.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "defray the charges" implies full coverage. The phrase often suggests partial coverage or assistance rather than complete payment. Be specific about the extent of coverage to prevent misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "defray the charges" is as a verb phrase functioning as the predicate of a sentence. It describes the action of reducing or covering expenses. The AI, Ludwig, confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "defray the charges" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the action of reducing or covering expenses. However, Ludwig analysis reveals that the phrase is missing, based on the provided data, in common language. While grammatically correct, alternatives like "cover the expenses" might be more accessible for general use. The phrase finds potential application across diverse contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, from business to general contexts, suggesting a versatile communicative function. When deploying "defray the charges", writers should consider the audience and context to ensure clarity and avoid implying complete coverage when only partial assistance is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cover the expenses

Replaces "defray" with a more common synonym, focusing on the act of covering costs.

offset the costs

Emphasizes reducing the financial burden, rather than fully covering it.

pay for the charges

A direct and simple way of saying someone will handle the payment of the charges.

meet the expenses

Highlights the act of having enough funds to pay for the charges.

absorb the costs

Focuses on one entity taking on the financial burden.

shoulder the expenses

Implies a willingness or obligation to bear the financial responsibility.

finance the fees

Specifically relates to providing funds for particular fees.

subsidize the expenses

Implies assistance with the costs, typically from an external source.

contribute to the costs

Highlights partial payment or contribution towards the full amount.

alleviate the financial burden

Shifts the focus to reducing the impact of the costs, rather than directly paying them.

FAQs

How can I use "defray the charges" in a sentence?

You can use "defray the charges" when you want to express that a certain amount of money is being paid to reduce the overall cost. For example: "The grant will help "defray the charges" associated with the research project."

What are some alternatives to "defray the charges"?

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

Is it better to say "defray the charges" or "cover the costs"?

Both "defray the charges" and "cover the costs" are correct, but "cover the costs" is more commonly used and generally easier to understand. "Defray the charges" is more formal and might be appropriate in specific contexts such as formal reports or legal documents.

What does it mean to "defray" something?

To "defray" means to provide money to pay for (something). It implies reducing or partially covering a cost rather than paying it in full. It is often used in contexts where assistance is being provided to help manage expenses.