uncontrollable expense

USAGE SUMMARY

"uncontrollable expense" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to costs that cannot be managed or predicted. For example, "The company faced an uncontrollable expense due to unexpected repairs." Alternative expressions include "unmanageable cost" and "inescapable expense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Since the corporation must pay its federal income taxes before it can pay dividends, the taxes are thought of the same as any other uncontrollable expense as an outlay to be covered by higher prices or lower costs, of which the principal cost is wages.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Last August, weary of supporting an institution with seemingly uncontrollable expenses, the college trustees voted to separate the two institutions, suggesting that the museum's fund-raising had been hindered by the widespread perception that the Lyman Allyn is owned by the college and should be supported by it.

The New York Times

We develop a model for estimation of total production costs of microalgae as a function of known production-specific expenses, and incorporate into the model the effects of uncontrollable factors which affect known production-specific expenses.

Energy Conversion and Management

With co-ops, there is one particular expense that is bordering on the uncontrollable: real estate taxes.

Huffington Post

Buyers are well advised to research the physical and financial wherewithal of their proposed homes, as uncontrollable line items such as real estate taxes and fuel expense will be driving monthly carrying costs in only one direction -- skyward.

Huffington Post

An improper interaction between the two not only leads to a design which might be uncontrollable, and hence infeasible, but also incurs a lot of expenses while attempting to operate in the uncontrollable regions.

Computers & Chemical Engineering

Uncontrollable laughter.

The Guardian - Books

It's uncontrollable".

The New Yorker

"The desert is uncontrollable.

The New York Times

"The Internet is uncontrollable.

The New York Times

What is uncontrollable?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal reports, pair this phrase with specific data points to justify budget variances to stakeholders or management.

Common error

Avoid using "uncontrollable expense" to describe a lack of personal or corporate discipline. If the cost arises from a failure to monitor a budget, the correct term is "uncontrolled spending", not an uncontrollable expense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uncontrollable expense" functions as a compound noun phrase where the adjective modifies the noun to categorize a specific type of financial liability. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and follows standard English syntax for technical descriptions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "uncontrollable expense" is a precise and professional phrase used to describe financial burdens dictated by external forces. Ludwig AI confirms its validity across diverse sectors, from News & Media to Science. It serves as a crucial tool for writers who need to distinguish between internal budget management and the inescapable costs of doing business in a volatile market. When using this term, ensure the context supports the idea of an external obligation rather than just a large or unexpected bill.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unmanageable cost

Focuses on the difficulty of handling the financial burden rather than just its source

inescapable expense

Adds a slightly more emotive or emphatic tone to the lack of choice

non-discretionary spending

A more technical economic term for expenses that cannot be opted out of

unavoidable charge

Frequently used in consumer contexts like service fees or taxes

fixed overhead

Refers specifically to consistent business costs that do not change with production levels

mandatory outlay

Emphasizes the legal or contractual requirement to pay

extrinsic cost

Focuses on the external origin of the financial factor

spiraling cost

Implies a loss of control specifically due to rapid increase

external liability

Shifts the focus to the legal or accounting responsibility

unforeseen expenditure

Specifically denotes costs that were not expected, regardless of whether they are controllable

FAQs

How do I use "uncontrollable expense" in a professional sentence?

You can use it to explain budget overruns, such as: "The project exceeded its budget primarily due to the "uncontrollable expense" of rising fuel prices."

What is the difference between an uncontrollable expense and a fixed cost?

While a "fixed cost" is predictable and stable, an "uncontrollable expense" may fluctuate wildly based on external factors like government policy or market volatility.

Can I say "uncontrollable cost" instead?

Yes, "uncontrollable cost" is a perfectly valid and slightly more common alternative in general business contexts.

Is "uncontrollable expense" considered formal English?

Absolutely. It is standard in financial journalism, academic economics and corporate accounting, as seen in examples from "The New York Times" and "Forbes".