minimal expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minimal expense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that requires very little cost or financial outlay. Example: "We managed to complete the project with minimal expense, allowing us to allocate funds to other areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Well used, these deliver great flavour at minimal expense.

The Guardian - Money

There's minimal expense involved and no super-injunction".

The Guardian

The still-cheap cost of living provides luxury with minimal expense.

The Guardian - Travel

Fastenings are brilliant for the high street, too, adding detail with minimal expense.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But many experts believe that it's possible to get quite close with minimal expense and effort.

The New Yorker

These operators sent out "tens of thousands of solicitations and at minimal expense," he writes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

His daughter, Cali Roslyn Rufff), takes in washing to help meet their minimal expenses.

The New York Times

The analysis is also likely to uncover those MPs who have claimed minimal expenses.

The Guardian

I'll use savings or credit cards or friends and family for my relatively minimal expenses.

The New York Times

I am very lucky to have minimal expenses and people offering to assist.

The New York Times

She said the organization had incurred minimal expenses to raise money for Haiti.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for brevity, "minimal expense" is suitable. For emphasis, consider alternatives like "insignificant expense" or "negligible expense" to highlight the cost's unimportance.

Common error

Avoid using "minimal expense" when you actually mean "essential expense". "Minimal" refers to something small or unimportant, while "essential" refers to something necessary. Using the wrong term can confuse your message.

Linguistic Context

Minimal expense functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as an object of a preposition (e.g., "at minimal expense") or as a complement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, indicating it's a common and accepted phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "minimal expense" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a very low cost. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is applicable in various contexts, including news, science, and business. While "minimal expense" maintains a neutral to professional tone, its versatile meaning makes it suitable for different scenarios. When using the phrase, ensure that you are conveying that the cost is truly low and not confusing it with something that is essential. Consider using alternatives like ""insignificant expense"" or ""nominal expense"" for added emphasis, as appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insignificant expense

Replaces "minimal" with "insignificant", emphasizing the smallness of the cost.

nominal expense

Substitutes "minimal" with "nominal", suggesting a very low or symbolic cost.

small expense

Uses "small" instead of "minimal", a more common and straightforward synonym.

trivial expense

Replaces "minimal" with "trivial", highlighting the unimportance of the cost.

negligible expense

Employs "negligible" to indicate the cost is so small it can be ignored.

slight expense

Uses "slight" as a substitute for "minimal", suggesting a small degree of cost.

low cost

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct expression of inexpensive.

low expenditure

Replaces "expense" with "expenditure", offering a more formal alternative.

economical cost

Describes the expense as "economical", focusing on value and efficiency.

budget-friendly cost

Highlights that the cost fits well within a budget.

FAQs

What does "minimal expense" mean?

The phrase "minimal expense" refers to a very low cost or financial outlay. It suggests that something can be acquired or done with very little money spent.

What can I say instead of "minimal expense"?

You can use alternatives like "insignificant expense", "nominal expense", or "small expense" depending on the context.

How to use "minimal expense" in a sentence?

Example sentences include: "We completed the project with minimal expense" or "The repairs were done at minimal expense to the homeowner."

Is "minimal expense" formal or informal?

"Minimal expense" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's a straightforward and widely understood phrase.