afford this cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "afford this cost" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing whether someone has the financial means to cover a specific expense. Example: "Before proceeding with the project, we need to determine if we can afford this cost without straining our budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Each card has an attached in-match cost; you cannot simply request the most powerful gun at the start of a match – rather, you must wait until later in the game when you can afford this cost, a smart natural balancing mechanic.

The Guardian - Tech

Paid caregivers are often used as another coping strategy to substitute family caregivers by those who are able to afford this cost [ 13, 16].

BMC Geriatrics

However women are commonly asked to pay a small fee (USD 1 2) for basic delivery supplies (such as gloves, cotton wool, sanitary maternity pads etc).. Government hospitals are allowed to charge a fee (usually ~ USD 6.50) but there is a waiver system for those who cannot afford this cost.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"When the economy is good and sales are increasing, businesses can afford this extra cost.

The Guardian

To train for the mission, she will be using one of the three boats Mr. Sunderland has acquired for a motion picture about his daughter Abby's failed attempt in 2010, but to be able to afford the cost of this undertaking, outfitting the boat and compensating her team Ms. Lachlainn-Henderson has started a GoFundMe and is currently looking for more sponsors.

Huffington Post

Can this society afford the cost of funding these studies along with the additional financial and social burden of life-long support for those individuals who experience the major sequelae of congenital toxoplasmosis?

Clinical Infectious Diseases

Startups can't wait this long or afford the cost of bidding.

TechCrunch

Gail Shearer, health policy director at Consumers Union, said 20percentt of those eligible for this extended insurance cannot afford the cost.

The New York Times

Additionally, this group can least afford the cost of cigarettes (an average of $2017 per year in the US) [ 9].

BMC Public Health

Furthermore, most of our patients cannot afford the cost of renal transplantation, a peculiar problem in this environment and developing nations [ 29].

BMC Oral Health

This will decrease the fraction of individuals who cannot afford the cost of education.

SERIEs

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing project feasibility or financial planning, use "afford this cost" to clearly communicate whether the necessary funds are available. For example: "Before committing to the expansion, ensure the company can afford this cost without jeopardizing existing operations."

Common error

While technically correct, "afford this cost" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In everyday situations, consider using simpler alternatives like "pay for this" or "manage this expense" to maintain a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "afford this cost" primarily functions as a verb phrase that indicates the ability or capacity to pay for something. It reflects a financial assessment, determining whether resources are sufficient to cover a particular expense, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "afford this cost" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express the ability to cover an expense. According to Ludwig, it is most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. While technically correct, its formality might make it less suitable for casual conversation. When determining how to use this phrase, consider if simpler alternatives, like "pay for this", could be more appropriate. Despite its low frequency, the phrase is used correctly and understandable in the right context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manage this expense

Emphasizes the ability to handle the expense within a budget or financial plan.

bear this expenditure

Highlights the act of carrying or enduring the burden of the expenditure.

cover this overhead

Specifically refers to the ability to pay for ongoing operational expenses.

meet this obligation

Focuses on fulfilling a financial responsibility or requirement.

finance this amount

Implies arranging the necessary funds to pay for something.

fund this outlay

Highlights the provision of money for a particular expense.

budget for this price

Refers to planning and allocating funds specifically for this price.

handle this charge

Focuses on managing or dealing with the responsibility of the charge.

sustain this burden

Highlights the ability to continuously support the financial strain.

shoulder this responsibility

Emphasizes taking on the financial burden or liability.

FAQs

How can I use "afford this cost" in a sentence?

You can use "afford this cost" when you want to express the financial capability of someone or something to cover a specific expense. For example, "We need to determine if we can "afford this cost" before moving forward with the project."

What are some alternatives to "afford this cost"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "manage this expense", "bear this expenditure", or "cover this overhead".

Is it better to say "can afford this cost" or "can afford this price"?

While both are grammatically correct, "cost" generally refers to the total expense, while "price" refers to the amount charged by a seller. Thus, "afford this cost" might be more appropriate when discussing the overall financial burden, and "afford this price" when discussing the amount you need to pay to acquire something.

What does it mean to "afford this cost" in financial terms?

To ""afford this cost"" means having sufficient financial resources to cover a particular expense without causing financial strain or hardship. It implies that the expense fits within one's budget or financial capabilities.