a significant cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing expenses that are considerable or impactful in a particular context, such as budgeting or financial analysis. Example: "Implementing the new software will incur a significant cost, but the long-term benefits may outweigh the initial investment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That's a significant cost".

The New York Times

"That will come at a significant cost.

The Guardian

But their strategy has at come at a significant cost.

The Guardian

"We have a significant cost disadvantage," Mr. Arpey said.

The New York Times

"There is a significant cost to the city for sponsoring the proposal," he said.

The New York Times

But if you're in manufacturing, it can still be a significant cost".

The New York Times

Mr. Arnold, the consultant, said these tools created a significant cost advantage.

The New York Times - Tech

So we believe our solutions will have a significant cost advantage in the marketplace".

The Guardian - Tech

That will offer a significant cost savings in the next two generations of disk media.

The New York Times

"Building a water treatment plant is a significant cost … more than $10m for a plant of our size," he says.

The Guardian

Some companies also offer telephone services using Internet protocols, a significant cost savings compared with standard voice services.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant cost", be specific about what contributes to the cost and its potential impact. Providing context helps the audience understand the magnitude and implications of the cost.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant cost" when the expense is relatively minor. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and credibility. Reserve it for situations where the cost truly has a substantial effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant cost" functions as a noun phrase, where "significant" acts as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "cost". Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant cost" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a substantial expense with noteworthy implications. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase sees frequent use in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When writing, ensure the cost is truly significant to avoid diminishing the phrase's impact. Alternatives include "a considerable expense" or "a substantial outlay". The phrase maintains a neutral to professional tone, making it suitable for a wide range of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable expense

Replaces 'significant' with 'considerable', emphasizing the substantial amount of the expense.

a substantial outlay

Uses 'outlay' instead of 'cost', highlighting the expenditure of money.

a major expense

Replaces 'significant' with 'major', indicating the importance of the cost.

a heavy financial burden

Expresses the cost as a burden, emphasizing the negative impact.

a steep price to pay

Uses a more figurative expression to convey the high cost involved.

a costly affair

Describes the situation as 'costly', focusing on the expensiveness.

a damaging expenditure

Highlights the detrimental effect of the spending.

an exorbitant charge

Emphasizes the excessiveness of the price.

a punishing penalty

Conveys the cost as a form of punishment or consequence.

a severe disadvantage

Shifts the focus from monetary cost to a disadvantageous outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "a significant cost" to describe expenses that are considerable or impactful in a particular context. For example, "Implementing the new security measures will incur "a significant cost", but it's necessary to protect our data."

What are some alternatives to "a significant cost"?

You can use alternatives such as "a considerable expense", "a substantial outlay", or "a major expense" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "a significant cost"?

It's appropriate to use "a significant cost" when discussing expenses that are truly substantial and have a noticeable impact on a budget, project, or organization. Avoid using it for minor or trivial expenses.

Is there a difference between "a significant cost" and "a high cost"?

While similar, "a significant cost" often implies a cost that has important consequences or implications, whereas "a high cost" simply refers to a large expense. The nuance lies in the perceived impact or importance of the cost.