preliminary expenses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preliminary expenses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to costs incurred before a project or activity officially begins, often in business or financial contexts. Example: "Before we can start the project, we need to account for all preliminary expenses, such as permits and initial materials."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"For preliminary expenses only," he said.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The year began with the release of a Financial Plan, Fiscal Years 2014-2018, whincludesudes a $149 million preliminary fiscal year 2015 expense budget for the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), consistent with a financial plan released in November.

Huffington Post

David Davies and his partner Ezra Roberts offered to build the line at a cost of £6,000 per mile, complete except for rolling stock, or for £5,000 per mile, with the company to purchase the land and meet "preliminary and parliamentary expenses".

Wikipedia

A preliminary report by the expenses watchdog was posted on the Ipsa website today.

Independent

C PP, preliminary and pre-operative expenses.

Renewables: Wind, Water, and Solar

C C is the capital cost of PV plant, C PVM is the cost of the PV module, C L is the land cost, C CG is the cost of civil and general works, C MS is the cost of mounting structures, C PCU is the cost of the Power Conditioning Unit, C CT is the evacuation cost up to inter-connection point (cables and transformer), and C PP is the preliminary and pre-operative expenses.

Renewables: Wind, Water, and Solar

Preliminary 2013 data indicate expenses related to both overhead and cost of goods sold increased, relative to sales.

Huffington Post

That is why we deliberately adapted the questionnaire to take account of the French legislative context and of the French sensitivity on this issue revealed in preliminary tests, even at the expense of comparability with other countries.

BMC Palliative Care

The expenses regulator posted a preliminary report on its website.

The Guardian

However, sample size limitations make it difficult to publish the preliminary studies needed to justify the expense of larger-scale work.

Plosone

In April, however, the agency notified Harmony of an unreleased preliminary audit questioning more than $540,000 in inadequately documented expenses, the vast majority involving federal grant money.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preliminary expenses" when detailing the costs associated with the initial phase of a project, such as research, planning, or securing permits. This helps stakeholders understand where initial capital is allocated.

Common error

Avoid using "preliminary expenses" interchangeably with projected costs. "Preliminary expenses" refer to costs already incurred in the early stages, while projected costs are estimates for future spending. Be precise to maintain financial clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary expenses" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "preliminary" modifies the noun "expenses". This combination serves to specify that the expenses are associated with the initial or preparatory stages of a project or activity. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preliminary expenses" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe costs incurred during the initial stages of a project. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. It's most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it is clearly distinguished from ongoing operational costs and projected expenses. Alternative phrases include "initial costs" and "startup costs", and use the writing guidance provided to prevent common errors and apply best practices for clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial costs

Focuses on the idea of costs incurred at the beginning of a project or venture.

startup costs

Specifically refers to the expenses associated with starting a new business or project.

early stage expenses

Emphasizes that the expenses occur in the early phase of a project.

initial outlay

Refers to the initial investment or expenditure of resources.

pre-launch expenses

Relates specifically to the costs incurred before a product or service is launched.

development costs

Focuses on expenses related to the development phase of a project.

feasibility study costs

Specifically refers to costs associated with assessing the feasibility of a project.

setup costs

Highlights the expenses involved in setting up a system or process.

preparation expenses

Highlights the expenses involved in preparing a system or process.

launch expenses

Focuses on costs related to the launch phase of a project.

FAQs

What are some examples of "preliminary expenses"?

"Preliminary expenses" can include costs for initial research, feasibility studies, securing permits, and the development of prototypes. These are the costs you need to cover before the main project or activity begins.

How do "preliminary expenses" differ from ongoing operational expenses?

"Preliminary expenses" are one-time costs incurred at the start of a project, while operational expenses are recurring costs needed to keep the project running. Keeping these separate helps in budgeting and financial tracking.

What can I say instead of "preliminary expenses"?

You can use alternatives like "initial costs", "startup costs", or "pre-launch expenses" depending on the context.

When should I use the term "preliminary expenses" in a financial report?

Use "preliminary expenses" when you want to specifically highlight the costs that were necessary to get a project off the ground. This provides transparency about the initial investment required before ongoing operations.