Social cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Social cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in economics to refer to the total cost to society, including both private costs and external costs associated with an activity or decision. Example: "When evaluating the impact of pollution, it is essential to consider the social cost of environmental degradation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Social Cost, 11.

Agricultural and Food Economics

There is, therefore, a great social cost.

The Economist

"The social cost is immeasurable.

The Guardian

The traffic also brings a social cost.

The Guardian

Then there is the social cost.

The New York Times

It can be the social cost.

The Guardian

But that progress will come at some social cost.

The New York Times

They accrete to a fairly sobering social cost.

The New Yorker

The result was "The Problem of Social Cost".

The New York Times

"Calculating the social cost of carbon requires many, many assumptions".

The New York Times

Although it proved a success, the social cost was high.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the broader impact of a policy or action, quantify the "social cost" whenever possible using metrics such as healthcare costs, lost productivity, or environmental damage. This strengthens your argument with concrete evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "social cost" when you only mean the expenses incurred by an individual or organization. "Social cost" refers to the total cost to society, including external factors like environmental damage or public health impacts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "social cost" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the total cost imposed on society by a particular activity or policy. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is used to describe the broad impact of actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "social cost" is a noun phrase used to describe the total cost to society resulting from a particular activity or decision. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. As evidenced by the examples, it is commonly used in news, science, and formal business contexts. When using the phrase, remember that it includes both private and external costs, and quantifying it can strengthen your argument. Consider alternatives like "societal cost" or "public cost" depending on the specific context. While "social cost" is widely accepted, awareness of its comprehensive meaning is crucial for accurate and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

societal cost

This alternative directly replaces "social" with "societal", emphasizing the impact on society as a whole.

public cost

This alternative focuses on the cost borne by the public, often through government spending or reduced public welfare.

community cost

This alternative narrows the scope to the impact on a specific community.

burden on society

This phrase emphasizes the negative impact or load placed on society.

societal burden

Similar to "burden on society", this highlights the onus placed on the community.

social implications

This alternative focuses on the broader consequences and effects on social structures and relationships.

societal ramifications

This phrase emphasizes the far-reaching and often complex consequences for society.

detrimental impact on society

This highlights the damaging or harmful effects on the overall well-being of society.

negative externalities

This economic term refers to the costs imposed on third parties who are not involved in the transaction or activity.

social consequences

This option focuses on the results or effects on social structures, norms, and behaviours.

FAQs

How is "social cost" different from economic cost?

While economic cost typically refers to the direct financial expenses, "social cost" encompasses a broader range of impacts on society, including environmental damage, health effects, and loss of well-being. The "societal cost" considers both private and external costs.

What are some examples of "social cost"?

Examples include the health consequences of pollution, the cost of crime related to drug use, or the loss of community cohesion due to urban development. These are costs borne by society as a whole, not just the individuals directly involved.

How to measure the "social cost" of carbon emissions?

The "social cost" of carbon is an estimate, in dollars, of the long-term damage done by a ton of carbon dioxide emissions in a given year. It includes changes in net agricultural productivity, human health, property damage from increased flood risk and the value of ecosystem services.

What is the relationship between "social cost" and "negative externality"?

A "negative externality" is a cost imposed on a third party who did not agree to bear that cost. "Social cost" often includes negative externalities, as they represent a cost to society that is not reflected in the market price of a good or service.