incur a charge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incur a charge" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where a fee or cost is being applied or accumulated, often in financial or service-related situations. Example: "If you exceed your data limit, you will incur a charge on your next bill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Neither message will incur a charge.

The New York Times - Tech

Deposits, which normally pay interest, can now incur a charge.

The Economist

Withdrawing cash from a machine may incur a charge of around 2.75%-3%-3% hidden commission.

The Guardian - Money

While any printed products incur a charge, there is no fee for uploading and editing images.

The New York Times - Travel

And if someone puts another item into the first bag, say a box of teabags, that would incur a charge.

The Guardian

Unlike in Wales, paper bags in England do not incur a charge – which has angered some campaigners who claim they still cause unsightly littering.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

If the money is no longer available, you could incur a charge-back and not only lose that money, you would also lose the merchandise you sold.

WikiHow

On Wizz, a small case as hand baggage still incurs a charge.

The Guardian - Business

"There is an individual explanation as to why each of these customers incurred a charge," the spokesperson says.

The Guardian - Money

In August 2008, for instance, borrowers with credit scores of 680 to 700 incurred a charge of one percentage point of the loan amount, when making a down payment of 20 to 25 percent.

The New York Times

It incurred a charge from last month's repayment of the bail-out money it got from the government, but it also set aside 72% of its revenue for employee compensation, a much higher percentage than that of its rivals.Bank of America reported a $3.2 billion profit, based mostly on one-time gains, such as selling part of its stake in China Construction Bank.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "incur a charge", be specific about the circumstances that lead to the charge. Clarity helps avoid misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "incur a charge" without specifying what triggers it. State clearly what action or event leads to the fee.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incur a charge" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of becoming liable for a fee or expense. It highlights the moment when the responsibility for payment arises. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incur a charge" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the action of becoming liable for a fee or expense. Ludwig AI confirms it is typically found in News & Media, Science and Wiki contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to be specific about what actions or events lead to the charge to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "be subject to a fee" and "be liable for a cost". This expression is suited for neutral to professional communication contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be subject to a fee

Focuses on the state of being affected by a fee, rather than the action leading to it.

be liable for a cost

Emphasizes the responsibility for paying a cost.

become responsible for payment

Highlights the shift in accountability for a payment.

owe a payment

Directly states the obligation to pay an amount.

acquire an expense

Indicates gaining an expense as a result of an action.

trigger a fee

Focuses on the action that activates the application of a fee.

bring about a cost

Emphasizes causing a cost to arise.

give rise to an expense

Highlights the action leading to the creation of an expense.

face a levy

Focuses on the experience of dealing with a levy.

pick up a tab

Informal way of saying that you are responsible for paying something

FAQs

How can I use "incur a charge" in a sentence?

You can use "incur a charge" to describe a situation where an action results in a fee or cost. For example, "You will "incur a charge" if you exceed your data limit."

What's the difference between "incur a charge" and "pay a fee"?

"Incur a charge" refers to the act of becoming liable for a fee, while "pay a fee" refers to the act of actually paying the fee. You "incur a charge" first, and then you pay a fee later.

What can I say instead of "incur a charge"?

Alternatives include "be subject to a fee", "be liable for a cost", or "become responsible for payment depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "incur a charge"?

It's appropriate to use "incur a charge" in formal or business contexts when describing a consequence of an action or event that results in a fee or cost.