principal expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "principal expense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main or most significant cost incurred by an individual or organization. Example: "The principal expense for our project this year will be the cost of materials and supplies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The luxuries and vanities of life occasion the principal expense of the rich, and a magnificent house embellishes and sets off to the best advantage all the other luxuries and vanities which they possess..

The New Yorker

The luxuries and vanities of life occasion the principal expense of the rich, and a magnificent house embellishes and sets off to the best advantage all the other luxuries and vanities which they possess...

The New Yorker

Personnel are the principal expense in programs for young children.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

In "The Wealth of Nations," the father of laissez-faire economics observed that "the necessaries of life occasion the great expense of the poor" while "the luxuries and vanities of life occasion the principal expense of the rich".

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

NEW YORK TIMES   Fed Officials Push Mortgage Program  |  William C. Dudley, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, encouraged fiscal authorities to implement a program to reduce borrowers' mortgage principal, at the expense of taxpayers and investors, The Financial Times reports.

The New York Times

Because interest is a deductible expense, and principal isn't.

The New York Times

The chariot's principal drawbacks were its expense and unsuitability for difficult terrain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Both VZ and T are paying nice dividends but at the expense of principal loss.

Forbes

Yet Frears' concentration on the two principals comes at the expense of the lesser roles.

The Guardian

That calculation is based on dividing borrowers' gross monthly income into their monthly housing expenses, including principal, interest, taxes and insurance.

The New York Times

Some condo owners purchase through a limited liability company or other business entity, and in those cases a number of buildings require that the principal personally guarantee some expenses, such as monthly common charges and assessments.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "principal expense" when you want to emphasize the most significant cost component in a budget or financial analysis. It is more formal than "main expense" and conveys a sense of importance.

Common error

Avoid using "principle expense". "Principal" refers to the main or primary item, while "principle" refers to a fundamental truth or proposition. Always double-check your spelling to ensure you're using the correct term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principal expense" functions as a noun phrase identifying the most significant cost or expenditure. Ludwig examples show it used to describe key costs in various contexts, from personal finance to business operations. The Ludwig AI also confirms that the phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "principal expense" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, albeit not very common. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It serves to highlight the most significant cost within a given context. Primarily found in news, media, and scientific publications, the phrase suits neutral to formal settings. Alternatives such as "primary cost" or "major expenditure" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. Remember to differentiate "principal" from "principle" to avoid common errors when using the phrase "principal expense".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary cost

Replaces "expense" with "cost", indicating the main financial burden.

major expenditure

Substitutes both "principal" and "expense" with synonyms emphasizing a significant outlay.

main expenditure

Similar to primary cost, focusing on the key spending item.

chief cost

Emphasizes the most important or largest expense.

largest cost

Highlights the size of the expense.

biggest expenditure

Focuses on the magnitude of the financial outlay.

dominant expense

Indicates that the expense is the most prominent.

foremost expense

Highlights the priority or significance of the expense.

key cost

Emphasizes the importance of the cost in overall budgeting.

substantial expenditure

Highlights the significance of spending.

FAQs

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

You can use "principal expense" to refer to the largest or most important cost. For instance, "The "principal expense" for the project was the cost of materials."

What's a good alternative to "principal expense"?

Alternatives include "main cost", "primary expenditure", or "major cost" depending on the context.

Is "principal expense" formal or informal?

"Principal expense" is considered more formal than alternatives like "main cost" or "biggest expense". It's suitable for professional and academic contexts.

Which is correct: "principal expense" or "principle expense"?

The correct phrase is "principal expense". "Principal" refers to the main or primary thing, whereas "principle" refers to a fundamental rule or belief.