substantial expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial expense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a significant amount of money that is required for a particular purpose or investment. Example: "The renovation of the office will incur a substantial expense, but it is necessary for improving our work environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Holographic work can tour very simply and without substantial expense".

The Guardian - Music

The profit reflected substantial expense cuts and came despite a decline in revenue.

The New York Times

It would require broad mobilization, substantial expense, and perhaps even the development of a new profession.

The New Yorker

As Mr. Delaney sees it, the substantial expense involved in the paintings and lithographs -- an estimated $250,000 so far, not counting staff time -- serves a distinctive marketing purpose.

The New York Times

But if he doesn't want to drive to Peekskill -- a substantial expense over the long term -- he must pay close to $100 a ton to dump trash at transfer stations owned by other companies, including Allied and Waste Management.

The New York Times

Lawyers for the company, which is based in Redmond, Wash., said in court papers that AT&T Wireless denied any wrongdoing and settled the case only to "avoid the substantial expense, inconvenience, risk and distraction of continued litigation".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

WHAT are some of the "substantial expenses that accompany public water holes"?

The New York Times

The substantial expenses that accompany the pools, including lifeguards, training and insurance, often make them easy targets for officials looking for budget fixes.

The New York Times

In briefings filed with the court, Mr. Braswell's lawyers argued that, because of his conviction, he had incurred substantial expenses for psychiatric treatment, found his credibility questioned in business dealings, and had difficulty in merging his business with other companies.

The New York Times

The substantial expenses that accompany public water holes, including lifeguards, training and insurance, often make them "low-hanging fruit" for officials looking for budget fixes, Mr. Beckner said, particularly during the winter negotiations when no one worries about the pool being open.

The New York Times

As one would imagine, there are substantial expenses and manufacturing constraints behind the scenes of large rocket launches.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial expense", ensure the context clearly indicates what the expense is related to. For example, "The project incurred a substantial expense in research and development."

Common error

Avoid using "substantial expense" for minor or trivial costs. Reserve it for situations where the financial impact is genuinely significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial expense" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence to denote a significant financial cost or expenditure. This is reinforced by Ludwig, which confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial expense" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that denotes a significant financial cost. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used across various contexts, primarily in news and media and scientific writing. While interchangeable with terms like "significant cost" or "considerable expenditure", it's crucial to use it appropriately, reserving it for genuinely significant financial impacts. Recognizing potential writing errors and usage contexts can further enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant cost

Replaces "substantial" with "significant", emphasizing the importance of the expense.

considerable expenditure

Uses a more formal term, "expenditure", to describe the spending.

major outlay

Emphasizes the act of spending a large amount of money.

significant financial burden

Highlights the impact of the expense as a burden.

heavy financial commitment

Focuses on the commitment of funds involved.

large financial obligation

Highlights the mandatory nature of the expense.

sizable investment

Frames the expense as an investment, implying a future return.

notable monetary commitment

Uses more formal language to describe a significant financial commitment.

serious financial implications

Focuses on the financial consequences of the expense.

considerable monetary resources

Highlights the amount of money involved.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial expense" to describe a significant cost, such as "The company faced a "substantial expense" due to the lawsuit." or "Implementing the new software required a "substantial expense"."

What are some alternatives to "substantial expense"?

Alternatives to "substantial expense" include "significant cost", "considerable expenditure", or "major outlay". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "substantial cost" or "substantial expense"?

"Substantial cost" and "substantial expense" are often interchangeable. "Expense" is generally used to refer to a specific instance of spending, while "cost" can refer to the overall financial burden. Choose the term that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "substantial expense" and "minor expense"?

"Substantial expense" indicates a significant amount of money, while "minor expense" implies a small or negligible amount. Using the correct term ensures accuracy and clarity in financial discussions.