expense and trouble

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expense and trouble" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the costs and difficulties associated with a particular action or decision. Example: "The project was delayed due to the unexpected expense and trouble it caused for the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Few of the thousands of new e-businesses wanted the expense and trouble of building their own fulfilment operations.

The Economist

WWF maintains that APP is threatening the forests in which the critically endangered Sumatran orangutan has, at great expense and trouble, been reintroduced.

The Guardian

Shareholders, even activists, do not really want to undertake the expense and trouble of a proxy fight unless they absolutely must.

Harvard Business Review

At great expense and trouble, the general's household was packed up and re-established at the Morris-Jumel Mansion in Harlem Heights.

The New York Times

But during a brief period in private practice in California, seeing the expense and trouble sleep-testing was for patients, Dr. Westbrook decided there had to be a simpler, more efficient way.

The New York Times

Pharmacists are underused in the health-care delivery system and are qualified and well-positioned to help more people access common medications that should not require the expense and trouble of a doctor's visit.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

If you have a will, the will allows your heirs to skip having your state laws decide who gets your property, but a will has to go through probate and you'll have all the expense, time and trouble of probate.

The Washington Post

"If you're going to go to the expense, risk and trouble to take a pill every day to improve your longevity, don't you really want to know if it works?" said Dr. Allen J. Taylor, a cardiologist at Washington Hospital Center, in Washington, who led the study.

The New York Times - Health

Microsoft would still make money by licensing and selling the Brain Box, while hackers and modders would be free to create unique controllers like the Access Controller without having to go through the expense and legal trouble of getting the controllers approved for retail sale.

TechCrunch

For the federal government to go to such expense (taxpayer expense, that is) and trouble over a political activist, in particular, might seem rather paranoid.

Huffington Post

But she said the expense and inconvenience troubled her less than the assault on her security.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expense and trouble", ensure that both the financial and practical difficulties are relevant to the situation. If the primary concern is only financial, consider using "cost" or "expenditure" instead.

Common error

Avoid using "expense and trouble" for trivial matters. This phrase is best reserved for situations where significant costs and substantial difficulties are involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expense and trouble" functions as a compound noun phrase. It typically acts as an object or complement in a sentence, describing something to be avoided or considered. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expense and trouble" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe situations involving both financial costs and practical difficulties. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's frequently used across various reputable sources, especially in news and media, academic writing, and wikis. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure both the financial burden and the logistical challenges are relevant and significant. Alternatives like "cost and inconvenience" or "effort and expense" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Be mindful of overusing it in trivial situations to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cost and inconvenience

Replaces "trouble" with "inconvenience", focusing on the disruption caused.

cost and difficulty

Substitutes "trouble" with "difficulty", emphasizing the challenges involved.

effort and expense

Swaps "trouble" for "effort", highlighting the work required.

price and hassle

Replaces both words with more casual synonyms.

burden and cost

Changes "trouble" to "burden", focusing on the weight of the issue.

investment and difficulty

Frames "expense" as "investment" and replaces "trouble" with "difficulty".

expenditure and hardship

Replaces "trouble" with "hardship", suggesting a more severe difficulty.

financial strain and complication

Highlights the financial aspect and replaces "trouble" with "complication".

resource depletion and inconvenience

Focuses on the depletion of resources and uses "inconvenience" as a softer alternative.

monetary commitment and effort

Rephrases "expense" as a "monetary commitment" and uses "effort" to replace "trouble".

FAQs

How can I use "expense and trouble" in a sentence?

You can use "expense and trouble" to describe situations where both financial costs and difficulties are involved, such as, "Avoiding the "expense and trouble" of a lawsuit is a primary concern for the company."

What are some alternatives to saying "expense and trouble"?

Alternatives include "cost and inconvenience", "financial strain and complication", or "effort and expense", depending on the specific context you want to emphasize. See other "cost and inconvenience" alternatives.

Is it better to use "cost and trouble" or "expense and trouble"?

While both are acceptable, "expense and trouble" is generally used in more formal contexts, whereas "cost and trouble" might be suitable for informal situations. The best choice depends on the tone and audience.

What is the difference between "expense and trouble" and "time and effort"?

"Expense and trouble" emphasizes financial costs and difficulties, while "time and effort" focuses on the investment of time and work required for a task. Consider other "time and effort" alternatives.