highest expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highest expense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing financial matters, particularly to refer to the largest cost incurred in a budget or financial statement. Example: "In our annual report, we identified the highest expense as employee salaries, which accounted for nearly 50% of our total budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The bill was 22 euros (about $28) each, by far my highest expense in Bologna, but worth every cent.

The New York Times

Although not the highest expense, the amount paid towards national debt interest is top of the list.

Independent

The young sons of the elite would compete to be "King of Campus": the winner racked up the highest expense on parties.

The Guardian

The company's highest expense, labor costs for couriers, who average about 2.5 deliveries an hour, has stayed at about $12 per hour.

The New York Times

Energy costs are the second highest expense miners face.

Forbes

For students, course materials end up being the second highest expense behind tuition.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The lowest-yielding money funds are generally those with the highest expenses.

The New York Times

We're coming out of lowest revenue months and into highest expenses.

The New York Times

According to his estimates, the two highest expenses are caregiving staffers and food.

Forbes

We assume our financial progress based on realistic sales to minimum sales against highest expenses.

Bplans

Because of the high expense, AIDS treatment is rare in Africa.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When analyzing financial reports, clearly identify and contextualize the "highest expense" to provide a clear understanding of where the majority of funds are being allocated.

Common error

Avoid using the term "highest expense" without providing context or justification. Always explain what the expense is and why it is the highest, to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highest expense" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in identifying a primary cost or expenditure within a financial context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "highest expense" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to the largest single cost within a set of expenses. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is widely used in news, business, and scientific contexts to clearly identify significant financial burdens. While alternatives like "greatest cost" or "largest expenditure" exist, "highest expense" offers a straightforward and readily understood means of conveying this information. When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context to clarify the nature and significance of the expense being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greatest cost

Replaces "expense" with "cost", emphasizing the financial aspect.

largest expenditure

Uses "expenditure" instead of "expense", offering a more formal tone.

most significant expenditure

Combines "significant" with "expenditure" for emphasis and formality.

biggest outlay

Employs "outlay" to denote a significant disbursement of funds.

leading expense

Replaces "highest" with "leading", indicating the most significant.

top spending

Simplifies the phrase to focus on the act of spending.

paramount expense

Highlights the supremacy of this particular cost.

main financial burden

Highlights the financial strain associated with the expense.

principal disbursement

A more formal and technical alternative.

primary debit

Focuses on the accounting term "debit" to represent the expense.

FAQs

How can I use "highest expense" in a sentence?

You can use "highest expense" to identify the largest cost within a budget or financial report. For example: "Employee salaries were identified as the "highest expense" in the company's annual budget".

What are some alternatives to "highest expense"?

Alternatives include "greatest cost", "largest expenditure", or "biggest outlay". The choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the most highest expense"?

No, "the most highest expense" is redundant. "Highest" already implies the superlative degree, so using "most" is unnecessary. Simply use "highest expense".

What's the difference between "highest expense" and "major expense"?

"Highest expense" refers to the single largest expense, while "major expense" refers to any expense that is significant, but not necessarily the largest. There can be multiple major expenses, but only one highest expense.