my expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my expense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to costs or expenditures that one is responsible for or has incurred. Example: "I will cover the travel costs, but the hotel will be at my expense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I'm looking after my expense account".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They must, furthermore, be hauled away at my expense.

The New Yorker

I'm disappointed that it was at my expense".

The Guardian - Sport

The Korean employees had a joke at my expense.

The New York Times

However, I still put the charge on my expense report.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I didn't want it to be at my expense.

The New York Times - Sports

It's been at my expense, but it can't be about one individual.

The New York Times - Sports

"I feel like I single-handedly brought down Gourmet with my expense account," she quips.

The New York Times

He noted that "Mitt Romney had some fun at my expense".

The New York Times

He was looking at my expense report, and his brow was furrowed.

The New York Times

You tried unyieldingly to save yourself, your reputation, at my expense.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "my expense" when you want to clearly indicate that you are personally responsible for covering a cost. Be specific about what the expense covers to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "my expense" when referring to company-reimbursed costs. Instead, specify it as "a company expense" or "an expense covered by the company".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my expense" functions as a possessive construction, indicating that a particular cost or expenditure is the responsibility of the speaker or writer. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "my expense" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to denote personal financial responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. While generally neutral, its register can become professional in business contexts. When writing, ensure you're not confusing it with company expenses and use alternatives such as "at my own cost" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at my own cost

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

at my charge

Similar to expense, but emphasizes responsibility for the debt.

out of my pocket

Highlights direct personal payment.

paid for by me

Directly states that the speaker is covering the cost.

on my own tab

Informal way of saying the speaker will pay.

borne by me

Focuses on who is bearing the cost or responsibility.

my responsibility

Shifts focus from cost to obligation.

my financial burden

Emphasizes the weight of the cost.

to my detriment

Highlights the negative impact on the speaker.

at my liability

Highlights legal or financial obligation.

FAQs

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

You can use "my expense" to indicate that you are personally responsible for covering a cost, as in "The hotel will be at "my expense"." This clarifies that you will pay for the hotel yourself.

What are some alternatives to saying "my expense"?

Alternatives include "at my own cost", "out of my pocket", or "borne by me". These options offer different nuances while still indicating personal financial responsibility. You can also use "my cost" to emphasize a financial burden.

Is it correct to say "on my expense" instead of "at my expense"?

No, the correct phrasing is "at my expense". The preposition "at" is used to indicate that the cost or burden falls upon you. "On my expense" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "my expense" and "company expense"?

"My expense" refers to costs you personally cover, while "company expense" refers to costs your employer covers. Using "my expense" when the company is paying would be inaccurate.