a one-off cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a one-off cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a cost that is incurred only once and not repeated in the future. Example: "The installation fee is a one-off cost that will not be charged again in subsequent years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

They sell these on an individual basis for a one-off cost to customers who wish to avoid joining fees and annual fees.

WikiHow

Lawrence Lindsey, head of the National Economic Council, priced the operation at up to $200bn£129bnbut, but added: "That's nothing". He said that, as a one-off cost, it would have little effect on the national debt, now running at about $3.6 trillion.

The Guardian

22 Adverse events (AEs) were applied as a one-off cost, where the occurrence was based on the difference between the dronedarone and standard of care alone arms of the ATHENA trial (where incidences of skin events, gastrointestinal events, and bradycardia were 2.7%, 4.2%, and 2.3% higher, respectively, with dronedarone versus standard of care alone) (Table 4).

ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research

Introducing iPads will have a one-off cost of around £18,000, according to the council.

The Guardian

In contrast, several million deaths could be prevented each year by securing clean drinking water and sanitation for everyone at a one-off cost of $200bn.

The Guardian - Books

The brewery's gates will close in two years' time, generating annual savings of £13m after a one-off cost of £22m.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

It will now press on with the closure of 17 of its 23 US stores, a move that would incur a one off cost of £6.5m but reduce annual losses by £3.2m.

The Guardian - Business

If we can find a way to pay for a habitat as a one off cost, for instance through government funding, private funding, or it pays for itself commercially (the Stanford Torus was going to be paid for by exports of solar power from space to Earth), then the main issue after that is how to maintain it.

Forbes

The terminal/palliative care cost consisted of a separate one-off cost based on the opinion-based survey among oncologists.

BMC Cancer

They also said in a press release that there would be a $1 billion one-off cost for the merger.

Forbes

It will be less than £500, "including a small one-off cost for registering the domain name and a separate cost for transferring the web files to new servers".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a one-off cost" in project proposals to accurately represent initial investments versus ongoing operational costs, improving transparency.

Common error

Avoid listing "a one-off cost" as an annual expense. Ensure it's separated from recurring charges to prevent miscalculations in long-term budgeting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a one-off cost" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

31%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Academia

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a one-off cost" is a noun phrase used to describe an expense that is incurred only once. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It is frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for diverse communications. When writing, ensure it is clearly distinguished from recurring expenses. Alternatives such as ""single expense"" or ""one-time fee"" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

One-time fee

Specifies that it's a fee paid only once.

Single expense

Focuses on the singularity of the expense.

Non-recurring charge

Emphasizes the absence of recurrence.

Isolated expenditure

Highlights the isolated nature of the spending.

Unrepeated payment

Highlights that the payment will not be repeated.

Unique payment

Stresses the distinctiveness and singularity of the payment.

Solitary cost

Emphasizes the single occurrence of the cost.

Irregular expense

Suggests the cost is not part of a regular pattern.

Exceptional charge

Suggests that the charge is unusual and not part of the norm.

Discrete spending

Focuses on the separate and individual instance of spending.

FAQs

How can I use "a one-off cost" in a sentence?

You can use "a one-off cost" to describe expenses that are incurred only once, such as "The setup fee is "a one-off cost", and you won't be charged again".

What's a good alternative to "a one-off cost"?

Alternatives include "one-time fee", "single expense", or "non-recurring charge", depending on the context.

Which is correct: "one-off cost" or "one time cost"?

"One-off cost" is more common in British English, while "one time cost" might be understood, but is less idiomatic. A better alternative is using the term ""single expense"".

What's the difference between "a one-off cost" and "recurring costs"?

A one-off cost is paid only once, while recurring costs are expenses that occur regularly, such as monthly subscriptions or annual fees.