small expense

USAGE SUMMARY

'small expense' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to an amount of money that is relatively insignificant compared to other expenses. For example: "The new product only required a small expense to develop."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

And now I had a small expense account.

The New York Times - Books

But it was no small expense to the Garcias.

The New York Times

That would be a small expense for those large braggin' rights!!

Princeton University

Of course, the shortening of the GDD requirement does come at a small expense to yield.

Cornell University

That is a small expense to safeguard the lives of millions.

The New York Times

Healing these cracks the old-fashioned way is no small expense.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Even so, small expenses quickly mount up.

The Guardian

If insurance picks up too many small expenses, it encourages abuse and overuse of scarce resources.

The New York Times

If a personal credit card is used for travel and small expenses, the University will reimburse for sales tax paid.

Yale University

Line-standers get paid $10 an hour, leaving the rest for profits and the relatively small expenses the companies incur.

The Washington Post

The ideal insurance plan would pay nothing for small expenses -- that is, it would have a deductible -- because small risks are tolerable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the financial implications of a decision or project, use "small expense" to downplay the cost and emphasize affordability or minimal impact on the budget.

Common error

Avoid using "small expense" when the cost, although relatively small, could still have a significant impact on a budget or financial plan. Ensure that the term accurately reflects the actual financial weight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small expense" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "small" modifies the noun "expense". This describes the magnitude of the cost associated with something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small expense" is a noun phrase used to describe an expenditure of low financial significance. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in writing. It's frequently found in News & Media, Academic, and Science contexts, where it serves to downplay costs or present them as manageable. While the phrase is relatively common, remember to use it judiciously, ensuring it accurately reflects the financial weight of the expense in question. Be aware that what constitutes a "small expense" can vary greatly depending on context. To avoid monotony and depending on the context, consider variations such as "minor expenditure" or "modest cost".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor expenditure

Replaces "expense" with a synonym, "expenditure", while retaining the adjective "minor".

modest cost

Substitutes "small" with "modest" and "expense" with "cost", indicating a limited financial burden.

insignificant outlay

Replaces "small" with "insignificant" emphasizing the negligible nature of the "outlay".

minimal charge

Uses "minimal" instead of "small", suggesting the lowest possible fee or price.

negligible fee

Replaces both words with alternatives emphasizing how unimportant the fee is.

trivial expense

Highlights the unimportance of the expense, using "trivial" as a substitute for "small".

petty cash item

Indicates the expense is appropriate to be paid with petty cash due to its low amount.

affordable price

Focuses on the fact that the price is something most people can pay.

budget-friendly option

Emphasizes that the option doesn't hurt the budget.

economical option

Highlights the economic nature of the option.

FAQs

How can I use "small expense" in a sentence?

You can use "small expense" to describe something that doesn't cost much in the context of a larger budget. For example: "Repairs to the equipment were a "small expense" compared to the cost of replacing it."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "small expense"?

Alternatives include "minor expenditure", "modest cost", or "insignificant outlay". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to describe something as a "small expense"?

Not necessarily. Consider the context and audience. What might be a "small expense" for a large corporation could be a significant burden for an individual or small business. Ensure your description is relative and accurate.

What's the difference between "small expense" and "petty cash item"?

"Small expense" is a general term for a low-cost expenditure. "Petty cash item" refers specifically to an expense that is appropriately paid for using funds from a petty cash account. Petty cash items are usually, but not always, "small expenses".