split the expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "split the expense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the division of costs among multiple parties or individuals. Example: "We decided to split the expense of the dinner equally among all attendees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

City leaders had been hoping to split the expense evenly with the federal government by contributing about $500 million over the life of the project.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But they agreed to own it jointly and split the expenses because the New York daughter worked in the family business and benefited from that in a way her sister could not.

The New York Times

Once we both earn more or less the same, we'll split the expenses and the house chores equally.

Vice

Set aside some time to review your own opinion on how you should split the wedding expenses - then discuss that with your fiance.

WikiHow

Simply maintaining that their plan would trim their commuting costs and "help preserve the environment" failed to sway the board, which approved the arrangement only after the workers insisted it was voluntary and the two pledged to split the driving and expenses.

The New York Times

The buyer and the seller split this expense, according to Mr. Burdess.

The New York Times

They drafted a postnuptial agreement in which the house was transferred to the wife's name, and the couple agreed to split the mortgage and other household expenses.

Huffington Post

Instead it split the conservative vote three ways at the coalition's expense.

The Economist

We could also split the second hop in different time slots, reducing interference at the expenses of some loss in spectral efficiency [13].

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The drug companies split the profits from maintaining a monopoly at the consumer's expense.

The New York Times

Ultimately, the investors split the pot, walking away with about 20percentt of their investment after legal fees and expenses were paid.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "split the expense", ensure clarity on how the expense is being divided (e.g., equally, proportionally).

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the agreed-upon proportion or method for splitting the expense to prevent future misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "split the expense" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of dividing a cost among multiple parties. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts related to shared financial responsibility. It's confirmed as a usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "split the expense" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the division of costs. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While there aren't exact usage numbers, the phrase is common in news, wiki, and science contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that the method of splitting is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "share the cost" and "divide the bill", each with slightly different nuances. The phrase functions neutrally in different situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

share the cost

Focuses on sharing the total cost rather than the action of splitting it.

divide the cost

Emphasizes the act of dividing, similar to splitting, but with a slightly more formal tone.

share the financial burden

Highlights the burden aspect of the expense, suggesting a relief of pressure.

apportion the cost

Implies a formal allocation or distribution of the expense.

allocate the expense

Suggests assigning specific portions of the expense to different entities.

contribute equally

Focuses on the equal contribution towards an expense.

go dutch

An informal idiom specifically referring to each person paying their own way.

chip in

Suggests making a contribution, often smaller, towards a shared expense.

pool resources

Focuses on combining resources to cover an expense.

cover the costs together

Highlights the collaborative effort in managing the expense.

FAQs

What does "split the expense" mean?

Splitting the expense means dividing the total cost of something between two or more people or entities. This can be done equally, proportionally, or according to a pre-arranged agreement.

How can I "share the expense" fairly with roommates?

Consider factors like income differences, usage, and individual needs when deciding how to divide shared household expenses. Common approaches include splitting everything equally or assigning different percentages based on individual circumstances.

What are some alternatives to saying "split the expense"?

You can use alternatives like "share the cost", "divide the bill", or "contribute equally" depending on the specific context.

Is it always best to "split the bill" equally?

Not always. Consider the situation and relationship dynamics. For example, if one person ordered significantly more expensive items, a proportional split may be fairer. Open communication is key.