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MeggPhaggSioux Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Revenue Expense

"Revenue" and "expense" each seemily have interchangeable countable and uncountable forms. Suppose I am talking about how a company must not spend more than it takes in. I could think of several ways of writing this:

1. "Revenue must at least equal expense."

2. "Revenues must at least equal expenses."

3. "Revenue must at least equal expenses."

4. "Revenues must at least equal expense."

What should I do?
  

Top answer

I recommend 1 or 2. Both singular or both plural. CJ

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14 Answers
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I recommend 1 or 2. Both singular or both plural.

CJ
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I could probably come up with a justification for using number 3 but number 2 is the only one that really sounds right.
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So, 3 could be used under some circumstances?
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Expenses must not exceed revenues.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/11/AR2006081102195.html

"The county sought a design that would draw enough revenue to cover operating expenses."

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That's the question I wanted to ask but refrained to do so.
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MeggPhaggSiouxIt seems that Washington Post and LA Times made a few editting editing mistakes?
Really? How do you conclude that?

CJ
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I thought the uncountable forms of "revenue" and "expense" must be used together.
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.
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MeggPhaggSiouxI thought the uncountable forms of "revenue" and "expense" must be used together.
As demonstrated by your quotes that's not exactly true. It's probably better to consider it a matter of style or personal preference.
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