At no cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "At no cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is provided without any charge or expense to the recipient. Example: "The service will be provided at no cost to the participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Usually at no cost.

The New York Times

(The Network requires registration at no cost).

The New York Times

Usually at no cost to the country.

The Guardian

Europe's airports offer trolleys at no cost.

The New York Times

Both will come at no cost to the Greek government.

The New York Times

You can achieve the same results yourself at no cost.

The New York Times

Each mother participated voluntarily and at no cost.

The New York Times

Her doctor offered her three more sessions at no cost.

The New York Times

A friend grows and provides it at no cost.

The New York Times - Magazine

Here, though, is an idea offered at no cost.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It also requires that insurers cover vasectomies at no-cost.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at no cost", clearly specify who benefits from the absence of cost. For example, "The service is provided at no cost to the client" is more precise than simply "The service is at no cost".

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating who receives the benefit of something being "at no cost". Vague statements can lead to confusion and misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at no cost" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that something is provided without any financial charge. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it commonly specifies a condition or manner in which an action is performed or a service is provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at no cost" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize the absence of financial charges associated with a service or product. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While alternatives like "free of charge" and "without charge" exist, "at no cost" maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse audiences. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating who benefits from the absence of cost to avoid ambiguity. By doing so, the phrase conveys the intended message effectively. Always ensure that there is no financial obligation if you state that something is "at no cost".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Free of charge

A direct substitute, emphasizing the absence of any fee.

At no expense

Emphasizes that there are no expenses involved.

Without charge

Similar to "free of charge", but slightly more formal.

No charge

A concise way of stating that there is no fee.

For free

A more casual and conversational alternative.

Complimentary

Often used when something is offered as a courtesy.

Without payment

Highlights the lack of financial transaction.

Gratis

A more formal and somewhat archaic term for free.

Free gratis

An emphatic and somewhat redundant way to say "free".

Free

A very short and simple alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "at no cost" in a sentence?

Use "at no cost" to indicate that something is provided without any charge or expense. For example, "The training program is offered "at no cost" to participants".

What are some alternatives to saying "at no cost"?

You can use alternatives such as "free of charge", "without charge", or "complimentary" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "free of cost" instead of "at no cost"?

While "free of cost" is understandable, ""at no cost"" is generally preferred in more formal writing. Both convey the same meaning, but ""at no cost"" may sound more professional.

What's the difference between "at no cost" and "without charge"?

The phrases ""at no cost"" and ""without charge"" are largely interchangeable. "At no cost" is slightly more common, but both effectively communicate that there is no financial burden involved.