a massive cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a massive cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing expenses that are significantly high or burdensome. Example: "Implementing the new software system will incur a massive cost that we need to budget for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

"After all, the Great Depression and World War II were a massive cost to humanity.

The New York Times

"The indiscriminate collection of mass data is going to have a massive cost," he added.

The Guardian - Tech

"The indiscriminate collection of mass data is going to have a massive cost".

The Guardian - Tech

People in the southern periphery are especially fed up with austerity, which has had a massive cost in terms of unemployment and living standards.

The Economist

There is nowhere for an overthrow to come from unless Israel is willing to send in the army to do it, at a massive cost in lives.

The Economist

Taxi Council SA's president, Jim Triantafyllou, said the changes would create a massive cost advantage for new entrants, who would pay less for compulsory third-party insurance.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

It accuses government of trying to de-skill and devalue the service as part of a massive cost-cutting exercise backed by the threat of market testing.

The Guardian - Opinion

The recent announcement by Adani that it will halve the costs of its rail line to the proposed Carmichael coalmine by building a shorter, narrow-gauge line raises an obvious question: if such a massive cost-saving is feasible, why didn't Adani go that way in the first place?

The Guardian - Opinion

Perhaps grandson and chosen heir– John Elkann John Elkann would beg to differ on that point..? Meantime, the Fiat Group is working on a massive cost-cutting program; it recently announced plans to eliminate 8,100 jobs, setting off weeks of strikes and disruption from Fiat workers, especially in sun-drenched Sicily, where workers blocked Palermo's airport and wharves.

Forbes

Stephen Hunt, an analyst at UBS, said the price freeze would be an "absolutely massive cost for the industry to bear … it would be quite devastating clearly for these companies' earnings [profits]".

The Guardian - Business

Some critics have said this kind of hugely expensive equipment is a luxury in a time of massive cost cutting in the NHS.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "a massive cost" with a specific detail or quantifiable metric related to the cost involved. This provides concrete evidence and strengthens the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a massive cost" as a generic intensifier. If the cost isn't genuinely substantial, using a less dramatic phrase maintains credibility and avoids exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a massive cost" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "massive" modifies the noun "cost". It emphasizes the magnitude or size of the expense being referred to. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a massive cost" is a noun phrase used to emphasize a significant financial burden or expense. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct and acceptable usage across various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, and has a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that the cost being described is genuinely substantial to maintain credibility. Consider alternatives like ""a huge expense"" or ""a significant expenditure"" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a huge expense

Focuses on the largeness of the expense, similar to "massive", but uses a more common adjective.

a significant expenditure

Replaces "cost" with "expenditure" for a more formal tone and uses "significant" to convey the size.

a substantial financial burden

Emphasizes the financial strain caused by the cost, adding the concept of burden.

an exorbitant price

Highlights the excessive nature of the price, implying that it's unreasonably high.

a considerable outlay

Uses "outlay" as a more formal synonym for "cost" and "considerable" to indicate size.

a crippling expense

Focuses on the severely damaging effect of the expense, implying it hinders progress.

a large financial commitment

Emphasizes the long-term financial obligation associated with the cost.

a heavy toll

Shifts the focus to the adverse effects or consequences of the cost, rather than the cost itself.

a costly affair

Uses a more idiomatic expression to convey that something is expensive, often in terms of time or effort as well as money.

a ruinous price

Highlights the destructive nature of the price or cost.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a massive cost" in a sentence?

Use "a massive cost" to highlight significant financial implications. For example, "The project incurred "a massive cost" due to unforeseen delays".

What are some alternatives to "a massive cost"?

Consider alternatives such as "a huge expense", "a significant expenditure", or "a substantial financial burden" depending on the context.

Is "a massive cost" formal or informal?

"A massive cost" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic writing.

What's the difference between "a massive cost" and "a high cost"?

"A massive cost" implies a significantly larger expense compared to "a high cost". "Massive" suggests an expense that is unusually or unexpectedly large.