SpeakUp

Grammar fix

cover expenses

pay costs

to have enough money to pay for the things you need or the costs of something.

collocationB1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • Her part-time job helps her cover her living expenses while she studies at university.money
  • In my opinion, scholarships are important because they help students cover their tuition and living expenses, making education more accessible.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: cover expenses (of something/doing something)

WrongThe budget covers for all expenses.

RightThe budget covers all expenses.

'Cover expenses' — no 'for' (that's 'cover for someone').

Patterncover expenses (of something/doing something)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff The grant is sufficient to defray my expenditures.

Natural The grant covers my expenses.

'Defray expenditures' is archaic/formal; 'cover expenses' is the natural phrase.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • cover expenses
    travellivingall yourmonthly

Don't confuse it

Different from 'save money', which means to keep money for future use, not to pay costs.

Try it in Daily Speak →