a cost of around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cost of around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when estimating or approximating a price or expense related to a product, service, or project. Example: "The project will incur a cost of around $5,000, depending on the materials used."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At a cost of around 0.5% a year, this option ensures that, if regional house prices fall, the size of the loan will decline in tandem.

The Economist

The administration admits to a cost of around $200 billion.

The New York Times

A typical American geothermal power station produces electricity at a cost of around $0.10/kWh.

The Economist

At a cost of around $12m, this is a bona fide smash.

The Guardian - Film

Nevertheless, Medicare pays for 100,000 of these procedures a year, at a cost of around $1 billion.

The New York Times

To put that into a context even Boris Johnson would understand, that's a cost of around £350m a week.

The Guardian - Opinion

At a cost of around $100 per treatment, and with sessions that can last over an hour, acupuncture treatments can be limited by both time and cost.

Harvard University

The two-year project was completed in 2008 at a cost of around $858,000, and Mr. Agostini moved into the home in 2009.

The New York Times

Ernst &Young, a professional-services firm, says this would involve a rise in the number of students to 40m, at a cost of around $200 billion.

The Economist

More than 55,000 shells have been installed in police and military vehicles, at a cost of around $4,500 each.

The Economist

The president's new budget calls for extending the enhanced Medicaid payment until mid-2011, at a cost of around $25 billion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a cost of around", ensure the context clearly indicates what the cost refers to. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the item or service associated with the cost.

Common error

Avoid using "a cost of around" when you have exact figures. This phrase implies an estimate, so using it with precise numbers undermines your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cost of around" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, typically indicating an approximate expense. As shown in the Ludwig examples, this phrase is commonly used to provide an estimated value.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a cost of around" is a common and grammatically correct way to approximate an expense. As Ludwig AI confirms, this prepositional phrase effectively conveys an estimated value across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. Alternatives include "approximately costing" or "at an estimated price of", offering similar meanings with slight variations in tone. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the context clearly defines what the cost refers to, and avoid using it when precise figures are available. Using the phrase when you have precise numbers undermines your credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately costing

Changes the phrase structure to emphasize the action of costing and using 'approximately' instead of 'around'.

at an estimated price of

Replaces "cost" with "price" and uses "estimated" to convey approximation.

in the region of

Employs a more spatial metaphor to indicate a range around a specific cost.

roughly priced at

Switches to "priced" and uses "roughly" for approximation, creating a more casual tone.

about the price of

Uses 'about' to express approximation and focuses on the price aspect.

in the neighborhood of

Uses a more informal and colloquial expression for approximation.

estimated to be in the vicinity of

A more formal and precise way of indicating an estimated cost range.

with an approximate expense of

Replaces "cost" with "expense" and uses "approximate" to modify it.

valued at close to

Shifts focus to the valuation of something rather than its direct cost, implying approximation.

around the sum of

Uses 'sum' and rearranges the phrase to highlight the monetary amount being estimated.

FAQs

How can I use "a cost of around" in a sentence?

You can use "a cost of around" to estimate expenses. For example, "The renovations are expected to incur "a cost of around" $10,000."

What phrases are similar to "a cost of around"?

Similar phrases include "approximately costing", "at an estimated price of", or "in the region of".

Is it better to say "a cost of around" or "an estimated cost of"?

Both "a cost of around" and "an estimated cost of" are acceptable. The choice depends on the desired level of formality. "An estimated cost of" may sound slightly more formal.

When should I avoid using the phrase "a cost of around"?

Avoid using "a cost of around" when you know the exact cost or when precision is crucial. In such cases, provide the precise figure instead.