a large cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a large cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that requires a significant financial expenditure, as in this example: "We had to bear a large cost to purchase the new machinery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The claims were for a long time and for a large cost.

The Guardian - Music

"That would help address the need for smaller class size without a large cost," he said.

The New York Times

However, this comes at a large cost in restricting what people can search for.

Stanford University

But this came at a large cost in further human suffering.

Yale University

At this exchange rate, Chinese manufacturing has a large cost advantage over its rivals, leading to huge trade surpluses.

The New York Times

Australians had a right to know what was happening inside the centres at a large cost to the taxpayer, he said.

The Guardian

When you are in a Republican primary race against a bunch of right-wing ideologues, there is very little benefit (and sometimes a large cost) to recognizing reality.

The New Yorker

The Coalition has maintained that the carbon price delivered minimal emissions cuts at a large cost to the economy and household electricity bills.

The Guardian

Maintain regular dredging for channel and water intake is necessary, but severe deposition caused a large cost increase in the annual maintenance costs are also not in economy.

Procedia Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

No one knows if it is feasible on a large, cost-effective scale.

The New York Times

In one packaged-goods company, the executives buried in a large cost-saving investment a staff and office space upgrade and an investment in a new computer system.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a large cost", consider whether specifying the type of cost (e.g., financial, environmental, social) would add clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a large cost" as a generic placeholder. Instead, provide specific details about the cost and its impact to make your writing more informative and persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large cost" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It typically quantifies or characterizes the expense or consequence associated with an action, decision, or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a perfectly valid English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a large cost" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a substantial expense or consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts such as news, science, and academia. While versatile, it's advisable to specify the nature of the cost for enhanced clarity. Alternatives like "significant expense" or "considerable expenditure" can be used for variety. Keep in mind to avoid overuse and provide context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant expense

Replaces "cost" with "expense", highlighting the financial aspect but maintaining a similar level of formality.

a considerable expenditure

Substitutes both "large" and "cost" to suggest a notable amount of money being spent.

a substantial investment

Focuses on the investment aspect, implying a potentially beneficial outlay of funds, although still significant.

a heavy financial burden

Emphasizes the negative impact of the cost, portraying it as a burden.

a steep price

Uses "price" instead of "cost", suggesting a high value or sacrifice required.

a major outlay

Replaces "cost" with "outlay", emphasizing the act of spending a considerable sum.

a hefty sum

Emphasizes the amount of money involved, using "hefty" to denote size.

a significant financial commitment

Highlights the commitment aspect, implying a long-term financial obligation.

an exorbitant fee

Suggests that the cost is excessively high or unreasonable.

a damaging consequence

Shifts the focus to the negative consequences associated with the cost, rather than just the financial amount.

FAQs

How can I use "a large cost" in a sentence?

You can use "a large cost" to describe significant expenses or consequences, such as, "The project incurred "a large cost" due to unexpected delays" or "Ignoring safety regulations carries "a large cost" in terms of potential accidents".

What are some alternatives to using "a large cost"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "significant expense", "considerable expenditure", or "steep price" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "high cost" or "a large cost"?

Both "high cost" and "a large cost" are acceptable. "High cost" often emphasizes the relative expensiveness, while "a large cost" highlights the absolute amount or impact of the expense. Choose the phrase that best suits the context.

Can "a large cost" refer to something other than money?

Yes, "a large cost" can refer to non-monetary costs, such as environmental damage or social consequences. For example, "The environmental damage represented "a large cost" to future generations".