shouldered the cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shouldered the cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone taking on the financial burden or responsibility for something. Example: "After the unexpected expenses arose, the company shouldered the cost to maintain its reputation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Until recently, the banks would normally have shouldered the cost of such fraudulent transactions.

The Guardian - Money

As the crisis in Europe has unfolded, states and ultimately taxpayers from Britain to Spain have shouldered the cost of bailing out lenders hobbled in many cases by property and credit booms gone sour.

The New York Times

As part of its agreement, KPN shouldered the cost of building the digital infrastructure and it must continue to broadcast three state-supported channels and a bunch of regional public broadcasters free of charge.

TechCrunch

The diocese independently shouldered the cost of finishing the cathedral.

Wikipedia

MVP shouldered the cost of all vaccine trials (about US$37 million).

Clinical Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

He was paid a fee upfront and the cable outfits shouldered the costs, but he had no participation in the backend — DVDs, on-demand and reruns.

The New York Times

Ultimately consumers and taxpayers will have to shoulder the cost, through power bills or government budgets.

The New York Times

Other independent organisations shoulder the cost of expanding and representing their memberships themselves.

The Guardian

Upgrades have lagged primarily because of industry infighting over who will shoulder the cost.

The New York Times

Until 2025 – if that really is the completion date – it has to shoulder the cost of building the plant.

The Guardian

The federal government agrees to shoulder the cost of defaults in nearly all of the mortgages made today.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shouldered the cost", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what entity bore the financial responsibility. For enhanced clarity, specify what the cost pertains to, such as "shouldered the cost of the repairs".

Common error

Avoid using "shouldered the cost" when the responsibility was shared or distributed among multiple parties. Use phrases like "shared the cost" or "contributed to the expense" to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shouldered the cost" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of bearing the financial responsibility for something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. The phrase typically appears as the predicate of a sentence, describing an entity's action of taking on expenses.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shouldered the cost" is a verb phrase that signifies taking on financial responsibility, confirmed by Ludwig AI as correct and usable in written English. While relatively rare, its usage spans across news, scientific, and general contexts. Its primary function is to convey the acceptance and management of expenses. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "bore the expense" or "covered the expense", depending on the desired nuance. When using this phrase, clarity is key to ensure the context indicates precisely who or what entity bore the financial burden. It’s important to avoid misattributing responsibility when expenses are shared.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bore the expense

Implies a direct bearing of the financial burden, emphasizing the act of carrying the cost.

covered the expense

Focuses on the act of providing funds to meet the cost, implying a proactive action to pay.

absorbed the cost

Suggests the cost was integrated into existing financial structures without causing external impact.

underwrote the cost

Implies financial support, guaranteeing payment for the cost, often used in formal contexts.

took on the financial burden

Highlights the acceptance of a challenging financial obligation.

assumed the financial responsibility

Similar to taking on the burden, but emphasizes legal or moral obligation.

financed the undertaking

Indicates providing the necessary capital for a project or activity.

defrayed the expenses

Implies allocating funds to cover specific expenses, often in a planned manner.

foot the bill

An informal way of saying someone paid the entire cost, often unexpectedly.

carried the financial weight

Suggests enduring a significant financial hardship or obligation.

FAQs

How can I use "shouldered the cost" in a sentence?

Use "shouldered the cost" to indicate that someone or something took on the financial responsibility for something. For example, "The company "shouldered the cost" of the new marketing campaign".

What can I say instead of "shouldered the cost"?

You can use alternatives like "bore the expense", "covered the expense", or "absorbed the cost", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "shouldered the cost" or "shared the cost"?

The correct phrase depends on the context. "Shouldered the cost" implies taking on the entire financial responsibility, while "shared the cost" indicates that multiple parties contributed to the expense.

What's the difference between "shouldered the cost" and "assumed the financial responsibility"?

"Shouldered the cost" refers specifically to bearing financial expenses. "Assumed the financial responsibility" is broader and can include both costs and other financial duties, legal or moral.