Native English speakers, which verb is appropriate for this sentence:?

Question

"Children _______ a lot of expenses"

Is it correct to say:

"Children ARE a lot of expenses"

Or

"Children GIVE a lot of expense"

Answer 1

Sorry to say but neither. How about create, entail or cause. If this is a multiple choice thing both of the choices given would not be used by a native speaker.

Answer 2

Children are expensive.  

Children result in a lot of expenses.

Children cause a lot of expenses.

The two options you've listed in your question don't work.

Answer 3

You could use:

Children create a lot of expenses

Children cause a lot of expenses

OR

Children are expensive

Having/bringing up children is costly

...etc...

Answer 4

Neither. "Create" would be the "word"!!

Answer 5

cause or are the source of

Answer 6

Neither of your suggestions is correct.

If you have to fill in the blank, then: "Children cause (or create) a lot of expenses."

That's perfectly understandable English, but it's actually a bit stilted. More commonly, people would just say, "Having children is expensive," or even "Children are expensive!"

Answer 7

I would use "incur"

(and put "expense" (singular) in place of "expenses")

"ARE" is wrong

"GIVE" is awkward

Answer 8

neither is correct

Answer 9

children require a lot of expenses

Answer 10

Cause  - give is not strictly correct.

Answer 11

I like:  Children cost a whole heck of a lot.  Little buggers.

Note:  Don't pay any attention to me.  I'm a little high right now.  Buzzing, too.  

Answer 12

Children are expensive.

Answer 13

give is the better of the two but i would say 'create' or 'cause' and in any situation expenses would be plural