reimburse the difference

USAGE SUMMARY

"reimburse the difference" is a grammatically correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
It means to give back or refund the amount of money that is owed due to a difference in price or cost. Example: "I purchased this item for $50, but it was advertised for $40. Can you reimburse me the difference of $10?" or "I accidentally overpaid for my hotel room. Can you please reimburse me the difference in price?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

SnapNames is saying they'll reimburse the difference between what an auction should have closed at and what it actually closed at, plus interest.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And transferees can use the services for free (or be reimbursed the difference).

TechCrunch

Their users benefit from reductions of 30-60% on exclusive luxury travel deals and packages, which the company guarantees to be at the lowest price at the time of purchase – otherwise users are reimbursed the difference.

TechCrunch

Certified CAM physicians obtained reimbursements for an average of 652 patients per year, whereas noncertified CAM physicians had 955 patients and COM physicians had 987 patients reimbursed; the differences between the groups were statistically significant.

BMC Health Services Research

Phones with Touch Disease will be repaired for $149, and if you previously had it repaired or replaced for similar symptoms — which might have cost you upwards of $300 — Apple will reimburse you the difference.

TechCrunch

The farmer was reimbursed for the difference between his average realized price and a guaranteed price.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The KLM agent said I'd be reimbursed for the difference between the two fares for this leg of the trip.

The New York Times

It is probably unreasonable to expect to be reimbursed for the difference between the price of your business-class ticket and the cheapest economy fare on that day.

The New York Times

3. Therefore, and because the delay in shipment was a violation of the Ship Fast terms of sale on a Dell's part, I asked to be reimbursed for the difference that would apply if I bought Precision T3500 not as a Ship Fast, but as a regular Workstation system with the current promotion of 25% off.

TechCrunch

However, there are differences in the amount of reimbursement where some counties even reimburse the whole cost of hormonal contraceptives (e.g. Skane and Blekinge).

BMC Public Health

The industry would reimburse the government later.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about financial transactions, be precise about the amounts and conditions under which you will "reimburse the difference". State clearly what the original cost was, what the adjusted cost is, and how the reimbursement will be processed.

Common error

Don't use "reimburse the difference" when you actually mean "discount". Reimbursement implies that the payment has already been made and the difference is being returned. A discount is applied before the payment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reimburse the difference" functions as a directive speech act, indicating an intention or agreement to provide financial compensation to cover a price discrepancy. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a standard and accepted phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reimburse the difference" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of compensating someone for a price discrepancy. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It's often found in news, scientific, and business contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to be clear about the specific amounts and conditions for reimbursement. Related phrases include "compensate for the disparity" or "refund the differential amount". Avoid confusing "reimburse the difference" with offering a discount; reimbursement occurs after a payment, while a discount is applied beforehand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Refund the differential amount

Replaces "difference" with "differential amount" and uses "refund" to convey the action of giving money back.

Compensate for the disparity

Uses "compensate" to indicate making up for a difference and "disparity" as a synonym for difference, altering the tone slightly.

Cover the cost gap

Uses "cover" to mean providing enough money to account for a cost difference or shortfall.

Give back the excess payment

Specifies that an overpayment occurred, and the excess amount is being returned.

Make restitution for the variance

"Restitution" implies restoring something lost or damaged, while "variance" emphasizes a deviation from a standard.

Remit the surplus

Uses "remit", meaning to send money, and "surplus" refers to an amount exceeding what is needed.

Provide a price adjustment

More general and can refer to both increases and decreases in price.

Rectify the imbalance financially

Focuses on correcting an "imbalance" through financial means, suggesting a broader sense of adjustment.

Adjust for the price fluctuation

Highlights changes in price and suggests making an adjustment to account for them.

Settle the outstanding balance

Implies clearing a debt or resolving a financial discrepancy to reach a zero balance.

FAQs

How do I use "reimburse the difference" in a sentence?

You can use "reimburse the difference" when you want to indicate that someone will be paid back the extra amount they paid, for example, "The company agreed to "reimburse the difference" between the original price and the sale price".

What's a simpler way to say "reimburse the difference"?

Simpler alternatives include "refund the difference", "pay back the extra", or "compensate for the difference".

What is the difference between "reimburse the difference" and "offer a discount"?

"Reimburse the difference" implies a refund after a purchase, while "offer a discount" means reducing the price before the purchase. Therefore they describe completely different cases and situations.

Is "reimburse the difference" grammatically correct?

Yes, "reimburse the difference" is grammatically sound and commonly used in business, finance, and general contexts as well.