unexpected expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unexpected expense" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an unplanned or unforeseen cost that arises, often in financial contexts. Example: "We need to adjust our budget because we encountered an unexpected expense last month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Just 16 percent used it for an unexpected expense.

The New York Times

For Dining Services, the unexpected demand was an unexpected expense.

The New York Times

Not enough money to meet this unexpected expense.

The New Yorker

That is not to say that the Obama strategy is not without inefficiencies or unexpected expense.

The New York Times

It wouldn't take much of a revenue shortfall or unexpected expense to wipe it out entirely.

The New York Times

The domestic airline industry is also facing a new and unexpected expense: drastically strengthened security.

The New York Times

But the budget she and her husband had carefully planned ran into an unexpected expense.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Families change and age, incurring numerous unexpected expenses.

The New York Times

"I've become anxious about unexpected expenses," Ms. Di Pietro said.

The New York Times

Unexpected expenses is the gist of its argument.

The Guardian - Business

Then she fell behind after some unexpected expenses, including a car repair.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about personal finances, it is crucial to use "unexpected expense" to highlight the disruption to a budget. For example, "Setting aside an emergency fund helps in managing unexpected expenses, like car repairs or medical bills."

Common error

Avoid using "unexpected expense" for predictable costs like monthly utilities. Instead, reserve it for genuinely unforeseen financial burdens, such as emergency home repairs or unanticipated medical treatments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unexpected expense" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause, describing a cost that was not planned or anticipated. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's often used in financial contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unexpected expense" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a cost that was not planned or anticipated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news, business, and general writing contexts. Alternatives such as "unforeseen cost" or "sudden expenditure" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to use "unexpected expense" for genuinely unforeseen costs, not for regular, predictable expenses. Preparing for such expenses with an emergency fund is a sound financial practice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unplanned expense

Direct synonym, emphasizing the lack of planning.

unforeseen cost

Focuses on the 'cost' aspect, implying the financial nature of the expense.

sudden expenditure

Emphasizes the abrupt nature and the act of spending.

surprise bill

Highlights the element of surprise and the form of a 'bill'.

unanticipated outlay

More formal; 'outlay' suggests a significant sum of money.

emergency cost

Implies urgency and necessity.

unpredicted charge

Charge refers to the financial amount of something that was not expected.

unexpected liability

Focuses on legal or financial obligations.

contingency

Short and implies possibility and planning around a potential event.

casualty

Describes a cost/damage that was not expected.

FAQs

What are some common examples of an "unexpected expense"?

Common examples of an "unexpected expense" include sudden car repairs, emergency medical bills, home repairs after a storm, or an unplanned trip due to a family emergency.

How can I prepare for an "unexpected expense"?

The best way to prepare for an "unexpected expense" is to build an emergency fund. Financial experts recommend having three to six months' worth of living expenses saved in a readily accessible account.

What can I say instead of "unexpected expense"?

You can use alternatives like "unforeseen cost", "sudden expenditure", or "unplanned expense" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "unexpected expenses" instead of "unexpected expense"?

Yes, "unexpected expenses" is the plural form and is used when referring to multiple unplanned costs. For example, "We had several unexpected expenses this month, including car repairs and medical bills."