unjustifiable expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unjustifiable expense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a cost or expenditure that cannot be justified or explained as reasonable or necessary. Example: "The company incurred an unjustifiable expense when it decided to invest in a luxury office space instead of focusing on essential upgrades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

So for those who look only at the bottom line, compliance programs can be viewed as an unjustifiable expense when the benefit is not immediately quantifiable, especially when those costs show no sign of abating.

The New York Times

"This bill has fallen prey to the special interests on Wall Street and K Street at an unjustifiable expense to taxpayers and homeowners on Main Street," he said in a statement.

The New York Times

Not only is leprosy pay an unjustifiable expense, it actually increases the stigma associated with Hansen's disease".

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Finally, although he could be steely where the paper's interests were concerned and very tough indeed if correspondents put in unjustifiable expenses, behind an apparently chilly exterior lay a very warm heart.

The Guardian

What happened was both unjustified and unjustifiable – it was wrong.

Independent

David Cameron has said the killings were "unjustified and unjustifiable".

The Guardian - Opinion

What happened on Bloody Sunday was both unjustified and unjustifiable.

The New York Times

Prime Minister David Cameron issued an apology, describing what happened as "both unjustified and unjustifiable".

BBC

Toyota cited the additional expense of A$75,000 $100,000 including the car as being unjustifiable, and that they did not agree with the nature of the pole test.

Wikipedia

The unjustifiable is justified because everyone does it – as with MPs' expenses, when no one stepped back and said enough is enough.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is unjustifiable".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "unjustifiable expense", ensure you provide context or evidence to support why the expense is considered unjustifiable. Simply stating it is so without reasoning weakens your argument.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the unjustifiable nature of the expense with overly emotional language. Focus on presenting factual reasons and logical arguments to demonstrate why the expense lacks justification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unjustifiable expense" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "unjustifiable" modifies the noun "expense". As Ludwig AI confirms, this noun phrase highlights a cost considered illegitimate or without reasonable grounds. The examples in Ludwig illustrate its usage in various contexts, from business compliance to governmental spending.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unjustifiable expense" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a cost or expenditure that lacks reasonable justification. As noted by Ludwig AI, while the phrase itself is correct, it's important to provide context when using it, to substantiate the claim that the expense is indeed unjustifiable. While not overly common, its usage in news and media contexts makes it a useful term to understand. Alternatives such as "unwarranted cost" or "unreasonable expenditure" can be employed depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Ensure not to overuse emotional language and stick to facts for making your point more believable. Ludwig's analysis also reveals that this term, while not incorrect, is rarer than you might expect, suggesting that other options might be more impactful based on the scenario.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unwarranted cost

Focuses on the lack of need or justification for the expense.

unreasonable expenditure

Emphasizes that the amount spent is excessive or inappropriate.

indefensible outlay

Highlights the difficulty of justifying the expense to others.

gratuitous expense

Suggests the expense was unnecessary and perhaps even wasteful.

needless cost

Emphasizes the lack of necessity for the expense.

unnecessary expenditure

Similar to "needless cost" but uses a more formal term.

excessive spending

Highlights the amount spent as being too high.

wasteful spending

Focuses on the unproductive nature of the expense.

extravagant cost

Implies a luxurious or overly elaborate expense.

unjustified charge

Emphasizes the lack of fairness or reason behind the expense.

FAQs

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

You can use "unjustifiable expense" to describe a cost that lacks reasonable justification. For example, "The CEO's personal travel expenses were an "unjustifiable expense" for the company."

What are some alternatives to saying "unjustifiable expense"?

Alternatives include "unwarranted cost", "unreasonable expenditure", or "indefensible outlay", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes an expense "unjustifiable"?

An expense is considered "unjustifiable" when it cannot be reasonably defended or explained as necessary or appropriate in a given context. This could be due to its excessive cost, lack of benefit, or violation of ethical or financial guidelines.

Is "unjustifiable expense" a formal or informal term?

"Unjustifiable expense" is generally considered a formal term suitable for professional, academic, or journalistic contexts. More informal settings might use simpler terms like "waste of money" or "rip-off".