Cool MateExpense vs This cost
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Expense
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
This cost
Top 2,000 (common)
| Expense | This cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈspens/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈspens/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðɪs kɒst//🇺🇸 //ðɪs kɔst// |
| Meaning | Money that you spend on something. | The amount of money needed to buy something. |
| Example | The expense of traveling abroad can add up quickly if you’re not careful. | I wasn’t expecting **this cost** to be so high. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | considerable, enormous, great, go to, incur, involve, rise, at somebody’s/something’s expense, at… expense, at taxpayer expense, at taxpayers’ expense, at the taxpayer’s expense, big, considerable, major, high, low, allowable, incur, cover, defray, arise from something, arise out of something, increase, expense account, expenses claim, expense report, on expenses, all expenses paid, spare no expense, high, low, allowable, incur, cover, defray, arise from something, arise out of something, increase, expense account, expenses claim, expense report, on expenses, all expenses paid, spare no expense | determine this cost, reduce this cost, explain this cost |
| Antonyms | income, profit | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'expanse', which means a wide area., Using 'expenses' as a singular noun., Mispronouncing it as 'ex-pense' instead of 'ik-spens'. | Confusing 'cost' with 'price'; they can have slightly different connotations., Using 'this' incorrectly; ensure it refers to a nearby or recently mentioned object. |
| Usage notes | Use 'expense' in both personal and business contexts. It's appropriate when discussing costs, budgeting, or financial reports. Avoid using it in very casual conversations. | Use 'this cost' when discussing specific prices. It’s appropriate in both spoken and written contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Expense vs This cost
What's the difference between Expense and This cost?
Expense: Money that you spend on something. This cost: The amount of money needed to buy something.
Can you show an example of each?
Expense: The expense of traveling abroad can add up quickly if you’re not careful. This cost: I wasn’t expecting **this cost** to be so high.
Can I use Expense and This cost interchangeably?
Not always. Expense and This cost are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.