What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
expense
Example
The company's expenses include rent, utilities, and salaries. [expense: noun]
Example
I can't afford the expense of a luxury vacation this year. [expense: noun]
Example
It was an unexpected expense to repair the car after the accident. [expense: noun]
charge
Example
The charge for the hotel room includes breakfast and Wi-Fi. [charge: noun]
Example
The bank charged me a fee for overdrawing my account. [charged: verb]
Example
She was in charge of organizing the company's annual conference. [charge: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Charge is more commonly used than expense in everyday language, especially in commercial contexts. However, expense is still a common word in business and personal finance.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between expense and charge?
Both expense and charge can be used in formal and informal contexts, but charge may be more versatile due to its broader range of meanings.
