without the expense of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without the expense of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a situation where you are able to do something without having to spend money or use up other resources. For example: "I was able to get the job done quickly without the expense of extra materials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

This can give you an address and phone number without the expense of a physical office.

The Guardian

Without the expense of new investment, cash from library sales goes directly to the bottom line.

The New York Times

"It allows us to reach additional customers without the expense of building an Internet presence," he said.

The New York Times

Some automakers prefer to squeeze higher mileage from gasoline-burning engines without the expense of diesel engines and emissions gear.

The New York Times

The trial-and-error process of taking countless shots is possible without the expense of developing film.

The New York Times

"They want to get it over as fast as they can without the expense of a trial".

The New York Times

I can get it for you online But what if one could get a MBA without the expense of moving?

The Economist

So even without the expense of the wars, "extra" money would not suddenly appear for other uses.

The New York Times

Without the expense of running stores, online rivals such as Amazon, Netflix and Lovefilm have eaten into Blockbuster's profits by sending films through the post.

The Guardian - Business

Their big advantage is cost: they allow organisations all the benefits of their own dedicated network without the expense of building it.

The Guardian

"I may not save that much on running costs, but I have ready access to a new car without the expense of ever actually buying one," he says.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or product, use the phrase to highlight advantages in terms of resource efficiency. For example: 'The software update allows for faster data processing "without the expense of" additional hardware.'

Common error

Avoid using "without the expense of" when referring to non-monetary costs, such as time or effort. For example, instead of saying 'He finished the project "without the expense of" much time', consider 'He finished the project quickly' or 'with minimal time investment'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without the expense of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating that an action or state occurs without incurring a particular cost. It is often used to highlight the cost-effectiveness or efficiency of a method or solution, as Ludwig indicates.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without the expense of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that highlights the absence of a particular cost, usually financial. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase across a variety of contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science sources, its function is to emphasize efficiency and cost-saving benefits. When using this phrase, ensure the context aligns with monetary implications or resource savings. Alternatives like "at no cost to" or "free from the burden of" can provide nuanced variations depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without incurring the cost of

Focuses on actively avoiding the action that would lead to the expense.

without the financial commitment of

Highlights the lack of a financial obligation or responsibility.

without the overhead of

Focuses on avoiding the indirect costs associated with running a business or project.

at no cost to

Emphasizes the absence of cost to a specific entity.

without the need to pay for

Emphasizes that payment is not required.

avoiding the outlay for

Specifically refers to avoiding a financial expenditure.

free from the burden of

Highlights the relief from a particular burden or responsibility.

lacking the burden of paying for

Stresses the absence of the burden of paying.

independent of the cost of

Implies that something is not affected or determined by a specific cost.

free of charge

A very direct alternative highlighting lack of financial cost, usually is shorter.

FAQs

How can I use "without the expense of" in a sentence?

You can use "without the expense of" to show how something can be achieved or obtained without incurring a particular cost. For example, "You can access the data "without the expense of" a subscription."

What are some alternatives to "without the expense of"?

Alternatives include "at no cost to", "free from the burden of", or "without incurring the cost of". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "without the cost of" or "without the expense of"?

Both "without the cost of" and "without the expense of" are correct and largely interchangeable. "Expense" is often used in a more formal or business context, while "cost" can be used more generally.

Can "without the expense of" refer to things other than money?

While "without the expense of" typically refers to financial costs, it can sometimes be used to imply the lack of other resource expenditures, such as effort or materials, but this usage is less common and should be used carefully to avoid ambiguity.