offset the cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "offset the cost" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing ways to reduce or balance expenses, often in financial contexts. Example: "The company implemented new strategies to offset the cost of production and improve profitability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Tax credits offset the cost of insurance dollar for dollar.

The New York Times

But, he said, increased sales more than offset the cost.

The New York Times

"It's to offset the cost of milk, meats and cheeses," he said.

The New York Times

Mr. Cogan argued that Mr. Bush could offset the cost with other military spending savings.

The New York Times

The savings would help offset the cost of subsidizing coverage for the uninsured.

The New York Times

Mr. Bush did not threaten to veto it, but insisted that Congress offset the cost.

The New York Times

Congress could provide a tax credit to offset the cost of health insurance, for example.

The New York Times

But the rings are not usually worth enough to offset the cost of litigation".

The New York Times

Proceeds help offset the cost of providing employee benefits, and help banks manage risk.

The New York Times

These savings would help offset the cost of providing coverage to people who are uninsured.

The New York Times

And these benefits also assume no government spending is reduced to offset the cost.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the target audience and the level of formality required. While appropriate in business and news contexts, it might need adjustment in more casual settings.

Common error

Avoid using "offset the cost" without specifying the method of offsetting. Saying "We will offset the cost" is less effective than "We will offset the cost through increased efficiency and reduced waste."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "offset the cost" functions as a verb phrase. It typically describes an action taken to reduce or counterbalance an expense. Ludwig AI shows this is a widely accepted and understood expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "offset the cost" is a versatile and widely used expression that describes the act of reducing or counterbalancing an expense. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, clarity is key; always specify the methods used to offset the cost. Consider alternatives like "mitigate the expense" or "counterbalance the expenditure" for nuanced meanings. Avoiding vague statements will ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Mitigate the expense

Focuses on reducing the severity or impact of the cost.

Counterbalance the expenditure

Emphasizes creating an equilibrium by opposing the cost with a compensating factor.

Recoup the investment

Specifically refers to recovering the initial money spent.

Defray the charges

Implies providing payment or funds to cover the cost.

Neutralize the outlay

Suggests rendering the cost ineffective or inconsequential.

Make up for the price

Highlights compensating for the value or amount of the cost.

Cover the financial burden

Emphasizes alleviating the negative impact of the cost.

Amortize the payments

Refers to spreading out the cost over a period of time.

Subsidize the fees

Implies providing financial assistance to lower the cost.

Redress the financial imbalance

Focuses on correcting an unfair or undesirable financial situation caused by the cost.

FAQs

How can I use "offset the cost" in a sentence?

You can use "offset the cost" to describe how expenses are reduced or balanced. For example: "The company used tax credits to "offset the cost" of new equipment".

What are some alternatives to saying "offset the cost"?

Alternatives include "mitigate the expense", "counterbalance the expenditure", or "recoup the investment", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "offset the cost" or "compensate for the cost"?

"Offset the cost" implies reducing or balancing an expense, while "compensate for the cost" suggests providing something in return to make up for the expense. The best choice depends on the specific context.

How does "offset the cost" differ from "reduce the cost"?

"Reduce the cost" implies lowering the original expense, while "offset the cost" suggests counterbalancing the expense with other revenue or savings. You can "reduce the cost" of materials by buying in bulk but "offset the cost" of operations by raising prices.