Expenses versus Expense

[Dollys]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #76 "Christmas Postman (3)", question 4

The post office in this country district didn't use vans because of the ..........

(a) costing
(b) monies
(c) expense
(d) expenses

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #76 "Christmas Postman (3)", answer 4

The post office in this country district didn't use vans because of the expense.

Correct answer: (c) expense

Your answer was: incorrect
The post office in this country district didn't use vans because of the expenses.
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hi,
Why can't we say expenses?

Dollys

[Alan]

Hi,

The word expenses refers to particular sums of money that you have spent. If you take a journey for your employer, they will possibly pay your travel expenses - what you spent on the taxi/train/bus fare.

Expense in the singular, which is needed in this sentence, refers to the cost in general of paying for postmen to have vans but the amount of money is not known as it is just a considerable cost

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Phrasal Verbs/go