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I am confused on how to properly describe an all expense paid vacation.

Is it an all expenses paid vacation or an all expense paid vacation, and are there any hyphens between all, expense or expenses, and paid?

I ask because it seems to be all over the place on google search.

tchrist
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Gaʀʀʏ
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  • On hyphenation (rather than singular-plural form), also see https://english.stackexchange.com/a/380203/8278 – Pacerier May 08 '17 at 18:50

2 Answers2

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“All expense paid” uses expense as a mass noun; “all expenses paid” uses expense as a countable noun. You would choose the one that is closest to your intended meaning.

As for hyphenation, you would typically use them when the phrase functions as an adjective, as in “all-expense[s]-paid vacation”.

MetaEd
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    Isn't the whole point of the question asking for elaboration on "closest to your intended meaning"? – Pacerier May 08 '17 at 18:40
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I would say the first option: there are probably several expenses involvbed in your hollidays: restaurants, hotels, souvenirs etc.

thijs van den bergh
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