shoulder a cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shoulder a cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the responsibility of bearing an expense or burden, often in a financial or metaphorical context. Example: "The company had to shoulder a cost when implementing the new safety measures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The bridge will be widened on the side nearest the Metro North Railroad tracks by about 40 feet to add shoulder lanes at a cost of $117 million between the summer of 2003 and winter of 2006.

The New York Times

Often, companies are sued for violating patents they never knew existed or never dreamed might apply to their creations, at a cost shouldered by consumers in the form of higher prices and fewer choices.

The New York Times - Tech

A shoulder injury cost Leaf the entire 1999 season, and when he came back last year, he had another uneven season.

The New York Times - Sports

Asiaworld did not have the funds to develop the roads and was happy to authorize Eagle I to shoulder that cost, a lawyer for the developer said.

The New York Times

Kevin Petrie, Nestle's head of procurement in North America, said the standards won't affect retail prices, though the company would probably shoulder an initial investment cost in changing suppliers' practices.

Los Angeles Times

Critics of the tunnel project don't believe that growers will be able to shoulder the cost, an argument they say has been bolstered by Westland's questionable accounting practices.

Los Angeles Times

Henrietta Spiegelberg, the managing director of Greater London Tutors, which works with 15 state primary and secondary schools, said schools were recognising that one-to-one tuition and teaching in smaller groups was "extremely beneficial" and were choosing to offer this to children whose families were not able to "shoulder the cost of a private tutor on a regular basis".

The Guardian

In contrast to Australia, where telephone interpreter was freely accessible, healthcare providers in New Zealand had to shoulder the cost of a landline interpreting service; this resulted in a low utilisation rate of telephone interpretation support [ 67].

BMC Health Services Research

So I headed to the local Pathmark, where the picnic roast -- the lower part of the shoulder -- cost $1.49 a pound.

The New York Times

He persisted, though, and the program was a huge success, with camps lining up to shoulder a portion of the costs.

The New York Times

Some proponents of local legislation say that overcrowding puts residents at risk and requires taxpayers to shoulder a disproportionate share of costs for services like garbage pickup.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While "shoulder a cost" is generally acceptable, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "bear the expense" or "assume responsibility for the expenditure".

Common error

Avoid using "shoulder a cost" when referring to non-financial burdens or responsibilities. While "shoulder" can metaphorically mean 'to bear', it's most effective when describing monetary expenses, otherwise find a more suitable word to express this like "manage" or "handle".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shoulder a cost" functions as a verb phrase where "shoulder" acts as a transitive verb, taking "a cost" as its object. It denotes the act of bearing or assuming financial responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shoulder a cost" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of bearing or assuming financial responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and the examples show its prevalence across news, business, and scientific contexts. While alternatives exist, such as "bear the expense" or "absorb the cost", "shoulder a cost" effectively conveys the acceptance or willingness to take on a financial burden, making it a versatile choice in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Bear the expense

Focuses specifically on the financial aspect of the cost.

Absorb the cost

Implies taking in or assimilating the cost without passing it on.

Take on the financial burden

Highlights the weight and difficulty associated with the cost.

Foot the bill

An informal way to say 'pay the cost'.

Cover the expenses

Implies providing the necessary funds to meet the cost.

Underwrite the cost

Suggests guaranteeing payment or assuming financial responsibility.

Assume responsibility for the expense

Emphasizes the obligation to handle the cost.

Carry the financial load

Illustrates the burden or weight of the expense.

Be responsible for the expenditure

More formal way to describe the duty of paying for something.

Take responsibility for the financial implications

Highlights accountability for the consequences of the cost.

FAQs

How can I use "shoulder a cost" in a sentence?

You can use "shoulder a cost" to indicate bearing a financial responsibility. For example, "The company had to shoulder a significant cost when implementing the new safety regulations".

What are some alternatives to "shoulder a cost"?

Alternatives include "bear the expense", "absorb the cost", or "foot the bill", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "shoulder a cost" in formal writing?

Yes, it is generally acceptable. However, for highly formal contexts, consider using phrases like "assume responsibility for the expense" or "be responsible for the expenditure".

What's the difference between "shoulder a cost" and "bear a cost"?

Both phrases mean to take on a financial responsibility. "Shoulder a cost" often implies a willingness or acceptance of the burden, while "bear a cost" is a more general term for enduring or carrying an expense.