a costly venture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a costly venture" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an undertaking or project that requires a significant financial investment. Example: "Starting a new business can be a costly venture, often requiring substantial capital to get off the ground."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Mr. Arnault also shut a costly venture into personal Internet investing, Europ@Web.

The New York Times

Still, it was a costly venture for the company, not just financially, but in the strain on singers, choristers, orchestra players and the crew.

The New York Times

For most young people, however, university is a costly venture, which may help to explain why so many South Koreans opt for the kind of technical subjects that lead to reliably well-paid careers.No country produces enough technically skilled people to match demand, but some developing countries do fairly well on this score.

The Economist

When asked why the country would want to embark on such a costly venture, a South African nuclear official once responded, "Reprocessing is the currency of power in the modern world!" Meanwhile, Iran insists that it has the same rights as Japan and is building a reactor similar to the one India used to produce the plutonium for its first nuclear bombs.

The New York Times

Photovoltaic system installation is a costly venture.

Energy Procedia

Attending an American university for higher education is a costly venture for Chinese families.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Last but not least, complete rebuilding was a very costly venture compared to gradual refurbishment of existing stock.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Canadian Imperial's thrust into the United States has been through its investment banking arm, CIBC World Markets, and through an ambitious but costly venture to provide electronic consumer banking services in partnership with supermarket chains.

The New York Times

While an immersive virtual world that users can hang out and communicate in certainly seems to fit Facebook's broader mission, the company has spent the better part of the past few years deciding how a costly, ambitious venture like Oculus fits into its corporate structure.

TechCrunch

The collapse in global oil prices has hit Russia's economy hard, and experts say Putin was wary of being drawn further into a costly military venture.

Vice

The Body Shop's costly venture into American retailing began auspiciously in the early 1990's, with sales and profits soaring.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a costly venture", clearly specify what makes the venture costly. Is it the initial investment, ongoing maintenance, or potential risks? Providing context enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a costly venture" when the expense is relatively minor. The phrase implies a significant financial commitment, so ensure the scale of the cost justifies its use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a costly venture" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. It describes a specific undertaking or project, characterizing it as expensive or requiring significant financial resources. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a costly venture" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe an undertaking that requires significant financial investment. Ludwig AI confirms its applicability across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and scientific domains. When using this phrase, ensure the scale of the cost aligns with the implication of a substantial financial commitment. Alternatives such as "an expensive undertaking" or "a high-priced endeavor" can add variety to your writing. The phrase carries a neutral to professional register, making it suitable for formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an expensive undertaking

Replaces "costly" with "expensive" and "venture" with "undertaking", focusing on the financial burden.

a high-priced endeavor

Substitutes "costly" with "high-priced" and "venture" with "endeavor", emphasizing the monetary value.

a financially draining project

Highlights the financial impact of the project, using "draining" to convey a negative consequence.

a resource-intensive operation

Focuses on the consumption of resources rather than just money, broadening the scope.

a capital-intensive investment

Emphasizes the large amount of capital required for the investment.

an extravagant enterprise

Suggests that the venture is not only costly but also possibly wasteful or unnecessary.

a prohibitive expense

Focuses on the expense being so high as to deter or prevent the venture.

a premium commitment

Highlights the high value and dedication required, framing the cost in terms of commitment.

a substantial investment

Emphasizes the size of the investment required, without necessarily implying a negative connotation.

a major financial commitment

Focuses on the significant financial obligation the venture entails.

FAQs

How can I use "a costly venture" in a sentence?

You can use "a costly venture" to describe any project or undertaking that requires significant financial resources. For example, "Launching a satellite into space is "a costly venture" requiring billions of dollars".

What are some alternatives to "a costly venture"?

Alternatives include "an expensive undertaking", "a high-priced endeavor", or "a financially draining project", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "a costly venture" always negative?

While "a costly venture" often implies a significant financial burden, it is not always negative. The outcome of the venture, such as the innovation or profits it generates, can justify the expense. The tone depends on the context and whether the benefits outweigh the costs.

What makes a venture "costly"?

A venture can be considered "costly" due to various factors, including high initial investments, ongoing operational expenses, unexpected overruns, or the potential for financial losses. The term encompasses not just monetary costs, but also resource depletion and opportunity costs.