an average cost of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an average cost of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the typical or mean expense associated with a particular item or service. Example: "The report indicated an average cost of $50 per unit for the new product line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In January, Mr. Frels bought shares of H. B. Fuller for an average cost of $36.46.

The New York Times

The fund first bought eBay shares in September 1998 at an average cost of $35.

The New York Times

He bought the stock in April at an average cost of $33.90 a share.

The New York Times

Bechtel could build them, he said, at an average cost of six million dollars per kilometre.

The New Yorker

The revised estimate resulted in an average cost of $80 per tonne.

The Guardian

The fund bought shares at an average cost of $2.36; they closed 2003 at $10.26.

The New York Times

The 13 units that traded hands in 2008 had an average cost of $940,746.

The New York Times

Then, locate prices for these objects and calculate an average cost of a "kilogram".

The New York Times

He is estimating an average cost of $8,095 for 2008.

The New York Times

He repurchased some in February at an average cost of $34 a share.

The New York Times

IN January, Mr. Jensen bought shares of Emerson Electric at an average cost of $73.86.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an average cost of", specify the context and scope to ensure clarity. For example, instead of saying "an average cost of $1000", specify "an average cost of $1000 per student for the program".

Common error

Avoid assuming that the "average cost" applies universally to all individual cases. An average represents a central tendency, and individual costs may vary significantly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an average cost of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, adjective, or verb by providing information about the typical expense associated with it. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from stock prices to healthcare costs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an average cost of" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate the typical expense associated with something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears extensively in news, business, and scientific contexts. It's crucial to remember that an average represents a central tendency, not a fixed value for every instance. When using this phrase, clarity is key; specify the context to avoid misinterpretations. Related phrases like "mean expense" or "typical price" can offer stylistic variations while maintaining semantic equivalence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the mean expense for

Replaces "average cost" with "mean expense", using a synonym for both "average" and "cost".

the typical price of

Substitutes "average cost" with "typical price", offering another pair of synonyms.

a usual expenditure of

Replaces "average cost" with "usual expenditure", slightly more formal.

the approximate outlay for

Uses "approximate outlay" instead of "average cost", indicating an estimated expense.

the estimated expense of

Focuses on estimation, replacing "average cost" with "estimated expense".

a representative charge for

Emphasizes that the cost is representative, using "charge" instead of "cost".

the standard rate for

Uses "standard rate" to convey a common or typical cost.

the going rate for

Employs the idiom "going rate" to indicate the current average cost.

the average expenditure on

Switches to "average expenditure on", changing the preposition.

the usual price range for

Implies the existence of a price range while maintaining the same meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "an average cost of" in a sentence?

You can use "an average cost of" to describe the typical expense associated with something, for example: "The study found "an average cost of" $1000 per patient for the treatment".

What is a more formal way to say "an average cost of"?

A more formal alternative would be "the mean expense of" or "the typical expenditure for". For example: "The report detailed the mean expense of maintaining the equipment".

Is it correct to use "average price" instead of "average cost"?

Yes, "average price" is often interchangeable with "average cost", especially when referring to consumer goods or services. The choice depends on the specific context; "cost" might be preferred when discussing production or business expenses.

What's the difference between "average cost" and "total cost"?

"Average cost" refers to the typical or mean expense, while "total cost" represents the sum of all expenses. Understanding this difference is crucial for financial analysis and budgeting.