per diem

USAGE SUMMARY

'per diem' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an adverb meaning 'on a daily basis' or 'for each day'. For example: "The lawyer charged a fee of $500 per diem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Is there a per diem stipend?

The New York Times

They didn't promise a per diem or payment.

The Guardian

I was at a hotel, living on my per diem….

The New Yorker

On average, therefore, the teachers' per diem salary is comparable to the per diem salary earned by other professionals.

The New York Times

"So we didn't need a hotel or a per diem".

The New York Times - Arts

Try per diem for starters: a red qualifying credential means half the per diem of the blue ones.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"Head clerk in the per-diem department".

The New Yorker

Both have higher per-diem costs than Atlanta.

The Economist

There are seven full-time paramedics, six per-diem paramedics, two full-time emergency medical technicians and eight per-diem E.M.T.'s, he said.

The New York Times

"Excuse me," I said, wondering what a per-diem department was but not really wanting to know, "the per-diem department of what?" "Excuse me," she said.

The New Yorker

The payment changed to a per-diem lump sum and was generally improved.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "per diem" when specifying a daily allowance or payment, especially for travel or work-related expenses. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity in financial communications.

Common error

Don't confuse "per diem", which is a daily allowance for expenses, with a regular salary. "Per diem" is intended to cover costs like meals and lodging during travel, not as a form of income.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "per diem" functions as a noun or adjective, indicating a daily allowance or rate. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts related to compensation, expenses, and financial agreements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

28%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "per diem" is a versatile phrase used to denote a daily allowance or rate, particularly for expenses. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. It's most frequently found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, making it essential for understanding financial discussions. Remember to distinguish "per diem" from a salary; it's a daily allowance, not a form of income. For alternative phrasing, consider "daily allowance" or "daily stipend" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

daily allowance

Replaces "per diem" with a more explicit term, emphasizing the allowance aspect.

daily stipend

Substitutes "per diem" with "stipend," highlighting the fixed payment nature.

daily rate

Focuses on the cost or payment aspect on a daily basis, similar to "per diem".

day rate

A shorter version of "daily rate", maintaining the same meaning.

allowance per day

Reverses the structure of "per diem" to clarify the allowance is calculated daily.

daily expense allowance

Specifies that the allowance is intended for expenses incurred each day.

subsistence allowance

Emphasizes the allowance is for basic living expenses on a daily basis.

travel allowance

Highlights allowance for travel-related costs incurred daily

day's wage

Relates to an amount earned for a day's work or service.

diem

A shortened, less formal version of "per diem".

FAQs

How do I use "per diem" in a sentence?

You can use "per diem" to indicate a daily allowance for expenses, such as: "The conference offers a $150 "per diem" for meals and accommodation."

What's the difference between "per diem" and a salary?

"Per diem" is a daily allowance specifically for covering expenses like meals and lodging during travel or work assignments. A salary is a fixed compensation paid regularly for an employee's work.

What does "per diem" typically cover?

"Per diem" typically covers daily expenses such as meals, accommodation, and incidentals while traveling for work. The amount varies depending on location and company policy.

Are there any alternatives to saying "per diem"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "daily allowance" or "daily stipend" as alternatives to "per diem", depending on the context.