shoulder the expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shoulder the expense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing who will bear the financial burden of a particular cost or expense. Example: "The company decided to shoulder the expense of the employee training program to enhance skills and productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Imax will shoulder the expense of the projectors, which cost about $500,000 each.

The New York Times

He said that technology companies did not want to shoulder the expense of being a publisher but were losing that argument and had to face a choice between compliance and complicity.

The Times

It is understood that its closure could potentially land taxpayers with a bill for up to £600 million because within a contract signed in 2009, the Ministry of Defence guaranteed BAE work for the next 15 years and is bound to shoulder the expense of any yard closures.

Independent

The one-time "background check fee" for visitors, believed to be the first of its kind in the nation, has angered prisoner advocacy groups and family members of inmates, who in many cases already shoulder the expense of traveling long distances to the remote areas where many prisons are located.

The New York Times

His refusal to shoulder the expense of a main stadium that was increasingly over budget was a major reason that its design, by the Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, who died in March, was scrapped in favor of a cheaper plan last year.

The New York Times

"I'd just been thinking, God, I'd love to keep it, but who's going to help me?" Gradually, through a fortuitous alliance of people -- Ms. Leandrou, Mr. Laudati, the Dobsons and, ultimately, Barry Levites, the building's landlord and the man who would have to shoulder the expense -- the restoration of the lobby at the Beaumont came together.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Staff members were of the opinion that the institution would have to shoulder the expenses in the event that the employee dies before accumulating adequate benefits to offset the loans.

BMC Health Services Research

For a young child, you can shoulder the expenses of a kid-friendly cell phone, not only the upfront cost but also the other costs associated with usage of the device.

WikiHow

That way, Citigroup earns fees or commissions, without shouldering the expense and risk of providing the insurance itself.

The New York Times

The British government was enticed by the lower cost of acquiring Harriers promised by a large production run, and the fact that the US was shouldering the expense of development.

Wikipedia

That obscure literary flourish has only intensified the snorts of derision in Ireland, where there's still a suspicion that - after coming first four times in the 90s and thus having to shoulder thee expense of hosting four competitions - state broadcaster RTÉ deliberately chooses rubbish acts to represent the country.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shoulder the expense", ensure it's clear who is assuming financial responsibility and for what specific cost. This avoids ambiguity in financial agreements and communications.

Common error

Avoid using "shoulder the expense" when the responsibility is shared or unclear. Instead, specify the portion each party covers or use phrases like "share the cost".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shoulder the expense" functions as a verb phrase, where "shoulder" acts as a transitive verb meaning to bear or take on, and "the expense" serves as the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

27%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shoulder the expense" is a grammatically sound and moderately common expression used to indicate bearing financial responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and appropriate use. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for diverse audiences. While alternatives like "cover the costs" or "bear the financial burden" exist, "shoulder the expense" provides a concise way to convey the act of assuming financial obligations, while users should remember to use it when it is clear to whom this responsibility belongs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cover the costs

A more general and direct way of saying to pay for something.

bear the financial burden

Emphasizes the weight and impact of the financial responsibility.

take responsibility for the expenses

Highlights the obligation and accountability for the financial outlay.

foot the bill

An idiomatic expression implying responsibility for payment, often for a single event or item.

pick up the tab

An informal way of saying to pay for something, usually a bill or invoice.

handle the financial obligations

Focuses on managing and fulfilling the monetary commitments.

absorb the financial impact

Suggests accepting and managing the consequences of the cost.

be liable for the expenditure

A formal phrasing emphasizing legal or contractual obligation.

finance the undertaking

Implies providing the funds needed for a specific project or activity.

underwrite the expenditure

Suggests guaranteeing funds or assuming financial risk for the costs.

FAQs

What does it mean to "shoulder the expense"?

To "shoulder the expense" means to bear the responsibility of paying for something. It implies taking on the financial burden.

Is "shoulder the expense" formal or informal?

The phrase "shoulder the expense" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal, suitable for business, news, and general communication. It is less informal than phrases like "pick up the tab".

What can I say instead of "shoulder the expense"?

You can use alternatives like "cover the costs", "bear the financial burden", or "foot the bill" depending on the context.

How to use "shoulder the expense" in a sentence?

Example: "The company decided to shoulder the expense of the new marketing campaign to increase brand awareness."