specific expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "specific expense" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a particular cost or expenditure that is clearly defined or identified. Example: "The budget report highlighted a specific expense related to office supplies that exceeded our initial estimates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I don't know what the specific expense is, and I don't really care.

The New York Times

The company's chief executive, A. Maurice Myers, said, "We were able to achieve our first-quarter results through focus on specific expense categories, such as maintenance and overtime, and by deferring certain of the corporate overhead expenses, including the hiring of additional personnel, until later in the year".

The New York Times

However, if you've recently paid off a specific expense that's been holding your business's financials back, you might qualify for a bigger line of credit.

Huffington Post

You have now collated all the information necessary to make a specific expense agenda.

WikiHow

Put in an estimate of your recurring bills (perhaps what you paid the previous year for that specific expense) but once the bill comes and you pay it, put the actual amount into your ledger.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The law also closes a loophole in previous regulations that had allowed companies to keep specific expenses private by claiming them as trade secrets.

The New York Times

Benefactors are also urged to insist that the beneficiaries maintain an annual budget -- an unexceptional matter for any well-established charity but a difficult one for a hand-to-mouth organization like Environment Tobago, where donor money arrives in fits and starts, to cover specific expenses.

The New York Times

In 1997, she determined that no inquiry was needed to examine the legality of Mr. Gore's fund-raising phone calls from his West Wing office, based on her conclusion that Mr. Gore's calls were meant to solicit only contributions for general Democratic Party purposes, and that he did not realize a portion was allocated to pay specific expenses of the Clinton-Gore campaign.

The New York Times

They can be set as one-time use or refillable, and they can be geared toward specific expenses like a company offsite meeting.

TechCrunch

An allowance is a great way to provide this experience as long as it's tied to specific expenses -- whether that's lunches, gas, clothing or entertainment.

Huffington Post

When we examined one area called "plant specific" expenses (the wired network expenses), we found that while the regulated side had revenues of $1.6 billion, the 'plant specific' charges were $1 billion.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "specific expense", ensure you clearly define what the expense covers to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just stating "marketing expenses", specify "social media marketing expense".

Common error

Avoid using "specific expense" for vague or general costs. Always provide enough detail to distinguish it from other expenses. For example, don't just say "office expense"; instead, say "office supply expense" or "office equipment maintenance expense".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "specific expense" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "specific" modifies the noun "expense". This phrase is typically used to denote a particular and well-defined cost or expenditure. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "specific expense" is a grammatically sound and usable term for denoting a clearly defined cost, although Ludwig indicates it's relatively rare. It's most often found in news articles, wikis, and scientific publications. When writing, be sure to clarify what exactly that specific expense covers to avoid confusion, rather than just using broad terms. While the phrase is suitable for formal and professional registers, remember clarity is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

itemized expenditure

Focuses on the detailed listing of the expense.

designated cost

Emphasizes the allocation or earmarking of funds for a specific purpose.

particular outlay

Highlights the specific instance of spending.

defined expense

Stresses the clarity and precision of the cost.

earmarked fund

Focuses on setting aside money for a specific purpose.

individual expense

Highlights the singleness and separateness of the expense.

specialized expenditure

Indicates the expense is related to a specific area or task.

detailed expense

Focuses on the exhaustive nature of the expense record.

precise spending

Highlights the exactness and accuracy of the money spent.

explicit cost

Emphasizes that the cost is clearly stated and not implied.

FAQs

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

You can use "specific expense" to refer to a particular cost that is clearly defined. For example, "The audit revealed a "specific expense" related to the software upgrade.".

What are some alternatives to "specific expense"?

Alternatives include "particular cost", "designated cost", or "itemized expenditure", depending on the context.

What does it mean to itemize a "specific expense"?

To itemize a "specific expense" means to list it separately with details about what it was for, when it was incurred, and how much it cost, typically for accounting or budgeting purposes.

Is it better to use "specific expense" or "general expense" in a budget report?

It is usually better to use "specific expense" to provide a clear and detailed overview of where money is being spent. "General expense" can be used for broad categories, but should be broken down into "specific expenses" for better transparency.