incurred

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "incurred" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used as a verb to mean "to experience something bad or undesirable, especially something that is a result of one's own actions". For example, "The company incurred high costs while completing the project".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

4. GNM accepts no responsibility for any damage, loss, liabilities, injury or disappointment incurred or suffered by you as a result of entering the Competition or accepting the prize.

The Guardian

More than 400 people perished, over 14,000 homes were destroyed, and the city incurred losses amounting to £1.2bn.

The Guardian

Armstrong and Eubanks stressed the costs Idaho would have incurred by rejecting the bill.

The Guardian

And that's where the story gets a little more complicated – why did Richie Porte choose to accept a wheel from his friend, Simon Clarke, and not from his team-mate, an action that would have incurred no penalty?

The Guardian - Sport

The film, in which Seth Rogen and James Franco are sent to assassinate Kim Jong-un, incurred the wrath of the North Korean authorities and was transformed from an otherwise unremarkable comedy into one of the most talked-about movies of 2014.

The Guardian

Despite taking no further legal action, the council still plans to claw back £60,170.34 of its legal costs incurred defending itself against Khan's claim.

The Guardian

After leaving the White House, Clinton represented New York in the Senate and her husband earned a fortune in speaking fees, but they faced large legal bills, possibly as high as $10.6m, incurred during investigations into Whitewater and the Monica Lewinsky affair.

The Guardian

The tribunal judge, Colin Bishopp, said Moyles was trying to use the scheme to make it look like he had incurred vast fees "as though by magic".

The Guardian

Lindsey incurred the internet's wrath because she was outspoken.

The Guardian - Tech

Ahmed, who claims he is 17 but looks years younger, says he is under huge pressure to find a way of repaying the 3,500 euro debt he incurred on his journey to Europe.

The Guardian

In 2007 Mr Kinder was compensated for the financial loss he incurred by taking out an endowment policy rather than a repayment mortgage.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incurred" to clearly indicate that a cost, debt, or negative consequence was experienced as a result of a specific action or event.

Common error

Avoid using "incurred" when you simply mean something was caused. "Incurred" implies the subject experienced the cost or consequence, not just that they caused it. For example, instead of "The accident incurred damage", write "The accident caused damage" if the accident was the cause and not the recipient of the damage.

Linguistic Context

The word "incurred" functions primarily as a verb in the past tense or past participle form. It signifies that someone or something has become subject to or experienced a particular cost, expense, or consequence. As Ludwig AI states, the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incurred" is a versatile verb commonly used to describe the experience of a negative consequence, cost, or debt resulting from a specific action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and business contexts, its formality ranges from neutral to formal, rendering it suitable for diverse professional settings. While related terms such as "sustained" and "accrued" may be used as alternatives depending on the nuance you want to convey, careful consideration should be given to avoid confusing "incurred" with simpler causal verbs. Remember to use "incurred" when you want to specify the subject who experienced the consequence, rather than simply stating that something happened.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustained

Focuses on the endurance of the negative experience.

accrued

Highlights the accumulation of something, typically costs or debts.

suffered

Emphasizes the pain or hardship experienced.

experienced

A more neutral term, simply indicating the occurrence of something.

encountered

Suggests a chance or unexpected meeting with something negative.

met with

Implies a direct confrontation or facing of something.

brought upon oneself

Highlights the responsibility of the subject for the negative outcome.

invited

Suggests a deliberate action leading to the consequence.

exposed oneself to

Focuses on the act of making oneself vulnerable to something.

became liable for

Specifically refers to legal or financial responsibility.

FAQs

How is "incurred" typically used in a sentence?

"Incurred" is usually used to describe someone or something experiencing a cost, debt, or negative consequence as a result of an action or event. For example, "The company "incurred losses" due to the economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to the word "incurred"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "sustained", "accrued", or "suffered". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the damage was incurred"?

It's more common to say "damage was caused" or "damage occurred". "Incurred" implies someone experienced the damage. If you want to emphasize who experienced the damage, you could say "The company "incurred damage" as a result of the fire."

What's the difference between "incurred" and "occurred"?

"Occurred" simply means something happened. "Incurred" means someone experienced something, usually negative, as a result. For example, "An accident occurred" simply states the event. "The driver "incurred injuries"" specifies the driver experienced the injuries as a result of the accident.