recoup

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recoup" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of recovering or regaining something, often financial losses or expenses. Example: "After a tough year, the company managed to recoup its losses through strategic investments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A plan to cut the rebate for some GP visits by $5 for adult non-concession patients but leave the option for doctors to recoup the $5 from patients was dumped.

The Guardian

The Crown Prosecution Service in England put Coulson on notice last August that it would seek to recoup a portion of the £750,000 costs amassed in the eight-month phone-hacking trial that resulted in his 18-month jail sentence.

The Guardian

Analysts say Orbán is seeking to recoup support by veering towards the radical right.

The Guardian

3.30pm: Jeremy Hunt gives a speech at a Kings Fund conference about his plans to recoup £500m from foreigners who benefit from NHS care.

The Guardian

If that proves to be the case, then I think it will be entirely reasonable for the chancellor then to recoup that money back from the energy companies in a one-off impost given the scale of their profits and the unjustified nature of the very high increases they've just proposed.

The Guardian

The prime minister's spokesman said the NHS should recoup a further £10m to £20m towards the costs of treating EEA nationals on the NHS under reciprocal agreements.

The Guardian

Once the trust that binds electorate and representatives is lost, it is not easy to recoup.

The Guardian

Wright said chaplains could stay in schools until the end of the year "because the commonwealth has chosen not to recoup money not yet spent" – including $37m for the last six months of 2014.

The Guardian

Even though the ACT government hopes to clear the contaminated blocks and resell the land to recoup costs, the project is expected to have a major toll on the territory's budget.

The Guardian

We had a huge bill to pay later Achille Crawford, graduate The recent figures from Ofgem, the government's electricity and gas market watchdog, show that 97,000 pre-pay gas and electricity meters were installed in England, Wales and Scotland last year alone, in efforts to recoup debt.

The Guardian

"We are looking at how you can better recoup costs from EEA countries," the spokesman said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial losses, consider using "recoup" to emphasize the action of recovering investments or covering costs. For example, "The company aims to recoup its initial investment within three years."

Common error

Avoid using "recoup" interchangeably with words like "recover" or "retrieve" in every context. "Recoup" often implies a financial or quantifiable loss being recovered, whereas "recover" and "retrieve" can apply to broader situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "recoup" is as a transitive verb. It signifies the action of regaining or recovering something, typically referring to losses, expenses, or investments. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "recoup" is a commonly used transitive verb that means to recover or regain something, especially a loss or expenditure. Ludwig AI confirms that it adheres to standard grammar rules and is suitable for neutral registers, particularly in news, business, and formal communications. Related terms include "recover", "regain", and "reclaim", but "recoup" often implies a financial context. When using "recoup", ensure it aligns with the idea of quantifiable recovery, and avoid redundant phrases like "recoup back".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recover

Emphasizes regaining something after a loss or setback.

regain

Similar to recover, but often implies getting back something that was previously possessed.

reclaim

Suggests asserting a right to something that was taken away or lost.

retrieve

Focuses on actively finding and bringing back something.

win back

Implies regaining something through effort or competition.

make up for

Highlights compensating for a loss or deficiency.

offset

Focuses on counterbalancing a loss with a gain.

recuperate

Often used in the context of health or energy, but can also apply to financial recovery.

reimburse

Specifically refers to repaying someone for expenses incurred.

indemnify

Provides security against a loss or damage.

FAQs

What does "recoup" mean?

"Recoup" means to regain or recover something lost or expended, often referring to financial losses or investments.

How to use "recoup" in a sentence?

You can use "recoup" in a sentence like: "The company hopes to "recoup its losses" after a challenging financial year."

What can I say instead of "recoup"?

You can use alternatives like "recover", "regain", or "reclaim" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "recoup back"?

No, saying "recoup back" is redundant because "recoup" already implies regaining something. Just use "recoup".