Cool MateCharge vs Expense
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Charge
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
Expense
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Most common: Charge
| Charge | Expense | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/tʃɑːdʒ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tʃɑːrdʒ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈspens/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈspens/"]/ |
| Meaning | To request payment for something. | Money that you spend on something. |
| Example | I need to charge my phone because the battery is low. | The expense of traveling abroad can add up quickly if you’re not careful. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | heavy, high, nominal, impose, introduce, levy, at a charge, for a charge, charge for, free of charge, overall, personal, sole, have, take, place somebody in, in charge (of somebody/something), in somebody’s charge, under somebody’s charge, grave, heavy, serious, bring, file, lay, allege something, sheet, on a/the charge, without charge, charge against, bring charges (against somebody), prefer charges (against somebody), press charges (against somebody), grave, heavy, serious, bring, file, lay, allege something, sheet, on a/the charge, without charge, charge against, bring charges (against somebody), prefer charges (against somebody), press charges (against somebody), baton, cavalry, lead | 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 |
| Antonyms | credit, refund | income, profit |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'charges' when referring to multiple items., Using 'charge' as a noun incorrectly in casual conversations instead of using 'billing'., Mistaking 'charge' for 'change' in payment contexts. | Confused with 'expanse', which means a wide area., Using 'expenses' as a singular noun., Mispronouncing it as 'ex-pense' instead of 'ik-spens'. |
| Usage notes | Used in contexts related to billing or pricing services. Can be formal in business and informal when referring to casual payments between friends. Avoid in situations where a more specific term is appropriate. | 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. |
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Frequently asked questions: Charge vs Expense
What's the difference between Charge and Expense?
Charge: To request payment for something. Expense: Money that you spend on something.
Which is more common: Charge and Expense?
Charge is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Charge and Expense?
Expense is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Charge and Expense the same CEFR level?
Charge: B1, Expense: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Charge and Expense?
Charge: noun, Expense: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Charge: I need to charge my phone because the battery is low. Expense: The expense of traveling abroad can add up quickly if you’re not careful.
Can I use Charge and Expense interchangeably?
Not always. Charge and Expense 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.