- Have you ever wondered if you should “make” an expense or “incur” one?
- Are you struggling to describe business costs without using the word “cost” every time?
- Do you want to know the difference between “at the expense of” and “at great expense”?
Mastering expense collocations is a vital step for any English learner aiming for professional fluency. In natural English, words don’t exist in isolation; they live in “word partnerships.” By learning which words naturally sit next to “expense,” you reduce your cognitive load, sound more like a native speaker, and eliminate the “translation lag” that often happens in business conversations.
Essential Collocations using EXPENSE as a Noun
In most contexts, “expense” is a noun referring to the money spent on something. Depending on the verb or adjective you pair it with, the meaning can shift from daily budgeting to high-level corporate finance.
Verbs used with Expense
These are the action words that tell us what is happening to the money.
- Incur an expense: To experience or become liable for a cost.
Example: You will incur an expense if you decide to cancel the flight at the last minute. - Cover an expense: To pay for something.
Example: The company will cover all travel expenses for the conference. - Reimburse an expense: To pay someone back for money they spent.
Example: Please submit your receipts so we can reimburse your expenses. - Spare no expense: To spend as much money as necessary to make something perfect.
Example: They spared no expense for their daughter’s wedding. - Offset an expense: To balance a cost by using money from another source.
Example: We hope the tax credit will offset the expense of the new equipment.
Adjectives used with Expense
Adjectives help describe the nature or the size of the cost.
- Unforeseen expenses: Costs that were not expected or planned for.
Example: We had several unforeseen expenses during the house renovation. - Operating expenses: The ongoing costs of running a business.
Example: The CEO is looking for ways to reduce operating expenses this quarter. - Out-of-pocket expenses: Money you pay yourself, which may or may not be paid back later.
Example: My out-of-pocket expenses for the business trip were quite high. - Legitimate expenses: Costs that are valid and follow the rules.
Example: Make sure all your claims are legitimate expenses before submitting the form.
Prepositional Phrases with Expense
- At the expense of: Doing something that results in losing or damaging something else.
Example: He built a successful career at the expense of his health. - At great expense: Something done by spending a lot of money.
Example: The museum was restored at great expense to the city.
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Incur an expense | Verb + Noun | To result in a cost. |
| Business expenses | Adj + Noun | Costs related to work. |
| At the expense of | Prepositional Phrase | To the detriment of someone/something. |
| Expense a meal | Verb + Noun | To charge a meal to a company. |
| Cover expenses | Verb + Noun | To pay for costs. |
| Deductible expense | Adj + Noun | A cost that reduces taxable income. |
Common Collocations with EXPENSE as a Verb
In modern corporate and American English, “expense” is frequently used as a verb. This usage is very specific to business environments.
Common Business Verb Usages
- Expense something: To record a cost as a business expense so the company pays for it.
Example: Don’t worry about the client lunch; you can expense it. - Expense back: To charge a cost back to a specific department or client.
Example: We will expense the travel costs back to the marketing department.
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Learners often translate directly from their native language, leading to awkward phrasing. Use this table to sound more like a native professional.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Make an expense | Incur an expense |
| A big expense | A major or hefty expense |
| Return the expense money | Reimburse the expense |
| In the expense of… | At the expense of… |
Pro Tip: While “big expense” is grammatically correct, using “major expense” or “significant expense” sounds much more professional in a workplace setting.
“When I went to London for the trade show, the company agreed to cover my travel expenses. However, I ended up having several unforeseen expenses because of a train strike. I had to incur an expense for a private taxi, but my manager told me I could expense it as long as I kept the receipt. I managed to finish the project on time, but unfortunately, it was at the expense of my sleep!”
Frequently Asked Questions about Expense Collocations
Is there a difference between “expense” and “expenditure”?
Yes. “Expense” is typically used for regular, smaller business or personal costs (like travel or meals). “Expenditure” is more formal and usually refers to large-scale spending by governments or large organizations (like military expenditure).
Can I say “I will expense my hotel”?
Yes, this is very common in modern business English. It means you will put the hotel bill on your company’s account or ask for a reimbursement.
What does “at someone’s expense” mean in a social context?
If you make a joke “at someone’s expense,” it means you are making fun of them. It is a very common idiomatic collocation.
Is “expense” countable or uncountable?
It can be both. When talking about the general concept of spending, it is uncountable (e.g., “Money is no object, regardless of expense”). When talking about specific items or costs, it is countable (e.g., “Please list all your business expenses”).
What is an “accrued expense”?
This is a technical accounting term. It refers to an expense that has been incurred (you owe the money) but has not yet been paid.
As a finance student, this is incredibly practical. I'm building my vocabulary for reports and presentations. The examples provided are excellent starting points for adapting these phrases.
That's fantastic to hear, Li Wei! For finance students and professionals, mastering these collocations is indeed crucial for clear, professional communication. We designed this content with practical application in mind, and we're thrilled it's serving you well in your studies. Keep up the excellent work!
This article made me think about 'cut expenses.' Is that also a strong collocation, or just a common verb-noun pair? It seems pretty standard.
I found the distinction between 'at the expense of' and 'at great expense' really useful. I often confused them, assuming both implied a high cost. The nuanced difference is crucial for precision in writing.
We're delighted you found that distinction helpful, Priya! You've highlighted an important point: precise language often hinges on these subtle differences. 'At the expense of' focuses on trade-offs or sacrifices, while 'at great expense' emphasizes the significant monetary cost. Mastering these helps elevate your English to a more advanced level. Well done!
Are these collocations primarily used in written business English, or are they common in spoken conversations too? I'm trying to sound more natural when I talk to colleagues.
Great question, Omar! Many of these collocations, like 'incur an expense' or 'cover an expense,' are very common in both written and spoken business English. Using them in conversation will definitely help you sound more natural and professional with colleagues. 'At the expense of' is also frequently used in spoken English, often metaphorically. Don't hesitate to practice integrating them into your daily interactions!
Super helpful! Clear and concise explanations.
I'm curious about less common but still valid collocations. Are there any other verbs that might pair with 'expense' in very specific, perhaps legal or accounting contexts, that aren't mentioned here?
That's a very insightful question, Kai! While the article focuses on the most common and versatile collocations for general and business English, you're right that specialized fields can have their own nuances. In legal or accounting contexts, you might also hear 'defray an expense' (to pay for something, often an initial cost) or 'allocate an expense' (to assign a portion of an expense to a specific department or project). These are less common in everyday speech but vital in expert domains. Keep exploring!
Is there a difference in formality between 'incur an expense' and 'experience an expense'? The article mentions 'experience or become liable for', but I'm wondering if 'experience' is ever used directly with 'expense'.
This article gives me a great idea for a role-play activity for my advanced students. They can pretend to be a finance department discussing budget allocations and justifying expenses. Thank you for the inspiration!
That's an excellent idea, Maria! Role-playing is such an effective way to practice new vocabulary and collocations in a natural, communicative context. We're delighted to provide inspiration for your engaging lessons! Your students will definitely benefit from that practical application.
Regarding 'at great expense' – does this always imply a *large amount* of money, or can it also refer to significant *effort* or *difficulty* even if the monetary cost isn't astronomical? For example, 'He completed the project at great expense to his health.'
Wow! This is a game-changer! I used to just say 'my boss pays for everything' but now I can say 'my company covers all my business expenses'. So much more professional! 🎉
That's fantastic, Anya! We love hearing about your progress. You've perfectly grasped how using collocations can elevate your English from functional to professional. Keep practicing these new phrases – they'll definitely make a difference in your business communications!