a legitimate cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a legitimate cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing expenses that are valid, justifiable, or recognized as appropriate within a specific context, such as business or budgeting. Example: "The accountant confirmed that the expenses for the new software were indeed a legitimate cost for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

SHANGHAI, Nov. 28 — The American company says it was a legitimate cost of doing business in China, the price it had to pay to help secure a large software contract with one of China's biggest banks.

The New York Times

Mr. Eisenberg is among those who believe that givers need to accept and even embrace failure as a legitimate cost for charities and to give less to organizations that make no waves and no difference to the world.

The New York Times

Speaking at the group's main Derby site where its flagship Trent XWB jet engine is assembled, he said it was wrong to claim that bribes were a legitimate cost of doing business in some regions and that to do so was "a little bit of an excuse".

The Guardian

"It's a legitimate cost of doing research," agrees Wendy Baldwin, NIH's deputy director for extramural research, adding that researchers could either list the cost in their grant application or apply for a supplemental award.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A Lilco spokesman, William Sherrard, said the cost of the drill was "obviously a legitimate ratepayer cost". But he said Lilco had not yet determined the drill's exact cost.

The New York Times

Third, Purdue is improving access I think in a more legitimate, cost-effective way, rather than simply expanding enrollment at West Lafayette or at another Purdue campus.

Forbes

"The cable industry raises rates to make more money, to cross subsidize its data and telephone businesses and to pass through legitimate cost increases," he said.

The New York Times

Tesco chief executive Dave Lewis said the retailer is already seeing inflation in certain food categories, particularly pork, but is only willing to tolerate pricing increases from suppliers faced with "legitimate" cost pressures.

The Guardian - Business

Unfortunately, this approach generally involves both legitimate cost reduction and cutting-into-the-muscle reductions that will hamper future growth.

Forbes

Failure to adequately map reimbursement to legitimate cost, either by attaching different reimbursement to patients of similar cost or by grouping patients with large differences to the same tariff, results in a mismatch between the profit maximising treatment and the most appropriate treatment.

Health Economics Review

Ryan's proposal seems more like sleight of hand than legitimate cost control.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a legitimate cost", ensure that you can clearly justify why the cost is valid and necessary within the given context. Provide supporting documentation whenever possible to avoid disputes.

Common error

Don't assume a cost is legitimate without proper vetting. Always verify that the expense aligns with established guidelines, contracts, or legal requirements to prevent misallocation of funds or potential fraud.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a legitimate cost" functions as a descriptor, typically modifying a noun to indicate that a particular expense or expenditure is valid, justifiable, and in accordance with established rules or standards. Ludwig confirms this grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a legitimate cost" is a phrase used to describe expenses that are considered valid and justifiable within a given context. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various professional settings. While the phrase is relatively rare, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. When using this phrase, be sure to justify why the cost is considered legitimate and provide supporting documentation to avoid potential disputes. Alternatives include "justifiable expense" and "valid expenditure".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

justifiable expense

Emphasizes the reason or rationale behind the expense.

allowable charge

Focuses on the permissibility or authorization of the charge.

valid expenditure

Highlights the legitimacy and correctness of the spending.

permissible cost

Stresses the aspect of being allowed or permitted within a set of rules.

acceptable overhead

Specifically relates to business costs and their acceptance within a budget.

reasonable fee

Highlights that the charge is fair and not excessive.

justified outlay

Similar to justifiable expense, with a focus on the act of spending money.

warranted expense

Implies that the expenditure is necessary and can be defended.

appropriate expenditure

Focuses on the suitability of the spending for a specific purpose.

official expense

Emphasizes that the expense is formally recognized and approved.

FAQs

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

You can use "a legitimate cost" to describe expenses that are valid and justifiable within a specific context. For example, "The company considered marketing expenses "a legitimate cost" of doing business."

What are some alternatives to saying "a legitimate cost"?

Alternatives to "a legitimate cost" include "justifiable expense", "valid expenditure", or "allowable charge", depending on the specific context.

What makes a cost considered "a legitimate cost"?

A cost is considered "a legitimate cost" when it is necessary, reasonable, and aligned with established policies, contracts, or legal requirements. It should be verifiable and justifiable.

How does "a legitimate cost" differ from "an unnecessary expense"?

"A legitimate cost" refers to a valid and justifiable expense, while "an unnecessary expense" describes spending that is not essential and does not contribute meaningfully to the intended outcome. One is required, the other is not.