large bill

USAGE SUMMARY

"large bill" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a sum of money that is larger than normal, such as when discussing a medical bill, a grocery bill, or an invoice. For example, "The mechanic's bill was a large one; several hundred dollars for the repairs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Money

Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Sylvie leaves the hotel, owing a large bill.

The New Yorker

"A metre-high, giant flightless pigeon, with this absurd large bill and a bare face?

The New Yorker

This is a large bill, but Peggy and Emma were also bearing some more personal questions of mine.

The New Yorker

He has just sent the donor an unusually large bill for income-tax advice rendered during the year.

The New Yorker

Ramsay also faces a large bill from his lawyers which is likely to take his total payout to over £1m.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I have a problem with a restaurant just adding 20 percent on top of what can be a large bill already.

The New York Times

He handed a large bill to one of the dancers sitting on the bar, and she swivelled around and stuffed the bill in her garter belt.

The New Yorker

Many people do not have the spare cash to cover the cost of a large bill that suddenly lands on their doorstep.

The Guardian - Business

A young Tory activist woke up with a large bill from Uber after he accidentally took a taxi home after an evening's drinking at the Conservative Party conference.

Independent

And, as each of these unfortunates learned, pledging allegiance to the East End or the Constitution State will not save you from a very large bill.

The New York Times

His comment about the immorality of passing on such a large bill is a welcome reminder that our generation bears responsibility for the well-being of the next.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing unexpected costs, using the phrase "large bill" can effectively communicate the financial impact and surprise element. For example, "She was shocked to receive a "large bill" after her hospital stay."

Common error

Avoid using "large bill" when a more specific term like "invoice", "statement", or "tab" would be more accurate, particularly in formal contexts. "Large bill" is generally suitable when the amount is unexpectedly high, not just routinely expensive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "large bill" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "large" modifies the noun "bill". It denotes a financial obligation of considerable size. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Money

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Business

10%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "large bill" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a significant or unexpectedly high financial expense. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and common usage across various sources, particularly in news and media contexts. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or strictly professional settings. When using the phrase "large bill", consider the context and audience to ensure the message is clear and effective. Keep in mind some alternatives, such as "substantial invoice" or "hefty charge".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial invoice

Replaces 'bill' with 'invoice' and 'large' with 'substantial', both implying a significant amount due.

hefty charge

Uses 'hefty' to emphasize the size of the charge or expense.

considerable debt

Focuses on the debt aspect, using 'considerable' to indicate a large amount owed.

significant expense

Highlights the financial burden using 'significant' to describe the expense.

major expenditure

Formal term indicating a significant amount of money spent.

extensive account

Emphasizes the length or detail of the bill using 'extensive'.

towering debt

Uses 'towering' metaphorically to describe the overwhelming size of the debt.

massive obligation

Focuses on the obligatory nature of the payment, using 'massive' to convey size.

imposing levy

Replaces 'bill' with 'levy', suggesting an official or mandatory charge, and 'large' with 'imposing'.

broad legislation

When referring to a legislative bill, this emphasizes the scope and impact of the legislation.

FAQs

How can I use "large bill" in a sentence?

You can use "large bill" to describe a significant or unexpectedly high expense. For example, "The car repair resulted in a "large bill"." or "They were unprepared for the "large bill" after the emergency room visit."

What are some alternatives to saying "large bill"?

Instead of "large bill", you could say "substantial invoice", "hefty charge", or "considerable debt" depending on the specific situation. Another possible expressions are "significant expense", "extensive account", or "hefty charge".

Is it correct to use "large bill" in formal writing?

While "large bill" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "substantial invoice" or "significant expenditure" might be preferable in formal writing contexts. Using the phrase depends on the context and audience. In general is always good to provide all the information possible to the final user.

What's the difference between "large bill" and "expensive bill"?

"Large bill" emphasizes the amount of money, suggesting it is higher than expected or manageable. "Expensive bill" focuses more on the inherent cost of the goods or services rendered. An "expensive bill" might be anticipated, while a "large bill" is often a surprise.