was the expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was the expense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing or inquiring about a specific cost or expenditure in a past context. Example: "I was curious about what the total was the expense for the project last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"It seemed self-indulgent and there was the expense.

The Guardian

Mr. Perez-Carrillo III said his primary objection to traditional media outlets was the expense.

The New York Times

Another reason was the expense: "It would make 10 million lawyers $10 million apiece," Mr. Yokich said in 1995.

The New York Times

The last thing its executives wanted was the expense of hiring a computing staff to manage the company's accounting and sales management systems.

The New York Times

Part of it was the expense — a three-minute call between New York and Chicago on the original version cost $27.

The New York Times - Magazine

But in Icahn's opinion the only real downside to shedding the Trump name was the expense that would be associated with changing all the signage.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

And then there is the expense problem.

The New York Times

The problem is the expense.

The New York Times - Tech

One of the reasons is the expense.

The Guardian - Opinion

And then there is the expense.

The New York Times

One reason is the expense of performing the analyses.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "was the expense", ensure the context clearly indicates what the expense refers to. Provide specific details to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "That was the expense", specify "The cost of materials was the expense that exceeded our budget".

Common error

Avoid using "was the expense" without a clear referent. Ensure the reader knows exactly what cost you are discussing. Vague references can lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was the expense" functions as a predicate nominative, identifying or renaming the subject. It commonly appears in sentences where the subject is being defined or explained in terms of its financial cost. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was the expense" is a grammatically correct phrase used to identify or emphasize a past cost or expenditure. According to Ludwig, the phrase is generally used in a neutral register, although the degree of formality can be affected by the surrounding context. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase serves to highlight financial aspects of situations or decisions. While "was the expense" is not particularly common, it is important to remember to use it clearly and specifically, ensuring the context clarifies what expense is being referenced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was the charge

Substitutes "expense" with "charge", suitable when referring to a fee or service.

equaled the price

Uses 'equaled' to denote that the expense matched a specific price.

totaled the cost

Replaces 'was' with 'totaled', focusing on the sum of the expense.

amounted to the expense

Uses 'amounted to' to quantify or summarize the expense.

came to the expense

Uses 'came to' to indicate the final tally or sum of the expense.

constituted the cost

Replaces 'was' with 'constituted', emphasizing what elements comprised the expense.

represented the expenditure

Substitutes 'expense' with the more formal 'expenditure'.

accounted for the outlay

Employs 'accounted for' to highlight the financial accounting aspect of the expense, replacing 'expense' with 'outlay'.

was the expenditure incurred

Expands the original phrase by including 'incurred', emphasizing the action of spending.

represented the financial burden

Replaces "expense" with "financial burden" adding an emotional tone indicating negative impact.

FAQs

How can I use "was the expense" in a sentence?

Use "was the expense" to refer to a specific cost incurred, like in "The primary reason for the project's delay was the expense of the specialized equipment".

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

Consider using alternatives such as "constituted the cost", "amounted to the expense", or "totaled the cost" to vary your phrasing.

Is it correct to say "was the expense"?

Yes, it is correct when referring to a past cost. For instance, "The biggest problem was the expense" is grammatically sound.

When should I use "was the expense" versus "is the expense"?

"Was the expense" refers to a cost that occurred in the past, while "is the expense" refers to a current or ongoing cost. For example, "The upfront cost was the expense" (past) versus "The maintenance is the expense" (present).