share the cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'share the cost' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when two or more people are splitting the cost of something. For example: "We decided to share the cost of the new laptop."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Executives declined to share the cost of the campaign.

The New York Times

There are few tourists to share the cost.

The Economist

The state, school and parents share the cost.

The New York Times

The states and the federal government share the cost of Medicaid.

The Economist

Such risks, though, can seem less weighty to patients when their parents share the cost.

The New York Times

Beneficiaries, through their premiums and co-payments, share the cost of Medicare with the government.

The New York Times

The solution here is simple: those who would benefit should share the cost.

The New York Times

Usually, residents must share the cost of roads, electricity lines or piping.

The Economist

America has asked South Korea to share the cost, but it has refused to do so.

The Economist

The federal government and the states usually share the cost of Medicaid.

The Economist

Other automakers using Tesla's technology could potentially share the cost of Tesla's charging stations, for example.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about shared expenses, clearly define who is sharing the cost and what specific expenses are being divided. This avoids ambiguity and ensures everyone understands their financial responsibility.

Common error

Avoid assuming an equal split without clarification. Always specify the exact proportions or method of division (e.g., equally, proportionally, based on usage) to prevent misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "share the cost" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of dividing expenses or financial responsibilities among multiple parties. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from business agreements to personal arrangements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science & Research

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "share the cost" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the division of expenses among multiple parties. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable across various contexts, including news, business, and science. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using the phrase, clarity is key; specifying the parties involved and the method of division helps avoid misunderstandings. Alternatives such as "split the expense" or "contribute to the cost" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

split the expense

Replaces "cost" with "expense", slightly altering the wording while maintaining the core meaning of dividing payments.

divide the expenses

Uses "divide" instead of "share", emphasizing the act of distributing expenses.

allocate the expense

Uses "allocate" to suggest a more formal or planned distribution of expenses.

contribute to the cost

Focuses on the act of contributing funds towards a shared expense.

chip in for the cost

An informal way of saying to contribute to a shared expense.

pool resources for the cost

Emphasizes combining resources to cover an expense.

go dutch on the cost

Suggests each person pays for their own portion of the expense.

split the bill

Commonly used in restaurant settings, referring to dividing the total bill amount.

meet halfway on the cost

Suggests finding a compromise where each party contributes a significant portion.

offset the cost

Implies that the cost is reduced by something else.

FAQs

How do you use "share the cost" in a sentence?

You can use "share the cost" to indicate that multiple parties are contributing to an expense. For example, "The companies will "share the cost" of developing the products".

What are some alternatives to saying "share the cost"?

Alternatives include phrases like "split the expense", "divide the expenses", or "contribute to the cost", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "share the cost" or "split the bill"?

"Share the cost" is a general term applicable to various expenses. "Split the bill" is specifically used for dividing the cost of a meal or service, typically in a restaurant.

What does it mean to "share the cost" of something?

To ""share the cost"" means that two or more people or entities agree to divide the financial responsibility for a particular item, service, or project, rather than one party bearing the entire expense.