Are these sentences natural? October 25

[Musicgold]

Hi,

Are the following sentences natural to a native ear?

1. This virus has very serious consequences.

2. I am paying about $2,154 per year in health insurance.

3. Please hold the fort for me.

Thanks,
MG.

[Dozy]

1. OK.

2. It seems a bit odd to use "about" with such a seemingly exact amount. Otherwise OK.

3. OK.

[Allifathima]

Dozy,
Instead of "I am paying $2,154 per year in health insurance."
can I write: "I am paying $2,154 per year for health insurance."

[Mister Micawber]

Yes.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Musicgold]

Thanks folks.

I was not sure about 'in' in 'in health insurance'. Can I also use the same construction for rent, travel expenses, ticket, etc. For example, would these work?

I paid....in the ticket.
I paid....in rent.
I paid ....in travel expenses.

[Mister Micawber]

One you cannot, since it is not the 'area' of expenditure:

I paid....for the ticket.
I paid....in rent.
I paid ....in travel expenses.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Musicgold]

Here by 'ticket' I meant the ticket one buys to board a train or bus and not like a traffic ticket.

[Mister Micawber]

I know that.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Musicgold]

Hmm...then I don't get what you meant by 'area of expenditure'.

[Mister Micawber]

'Rent' is an area of ongoing living expenses, not a specific purchase:

I paid $100 in rent, in taxes, in alimony, in anything with the plural idea of 'expenses', 'fees', etc. attached to it: dental expenses, medical fees, in fines.
I paid $100,00 for this house, for this car, for this ticket, for gas, for shoes.

I suspect some of these are idiomatic for the use of 'in' or 'for'.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Musicgold]

Thanks MM.