at a cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'at a cost' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is commonly used to indicate that something has been completed or achieved, but at some expense or sacrifice. For example, "I completed the project on time, but at a cost of needing to work late nights and weekends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Luxury comes at a cost.

The New York Times

Progress came at a cost.

The New York Times - Food

But that success comes at a cost.

The Economist

But the victory came at a cost.

The New York Times - Sports

But it could come at a cost.

The New York Times - Sports

But the development comes at a cost.

The New York Times

But expansion has come at a cost.

The New York Times

But it came at a cost.

The Economist

AOL boomed, but at a cost.

The Economist

Such fiscal virtue comes at a cost.

The New York Times

Its competitiveness came at a cost.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at a cost", ensure the sentence clearly specifies what the cost entails to provide full context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "at a cost" without specifying what that cost is. For example, instead of saying 'The project was completed at a cost', specify 'The project was completed at a cost of significant overtime hours'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a cost" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate that an action or achievement involved some form of sacrifice, disadvantage, or negative consequence. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically sound and signifies something obtained with expense or sacrifice.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a cost" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate that an achievement or action comes with a sacrifice or negative consequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correctly used in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media, followed by science and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly specify what the cost entails to provide clarity. Alternatives include "at the expense of" and "with negative consequences".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the expense of

Focuses on what is lost or harmed as a result.

with negative consequences

Emphasizes the negative results more directly.

at some sacrifice

Highlights the element of giving something up.

with certain trade-offs

Focuses on the idea of exchanging one thing for another.

entailing certain disadvantages

More formal and explicit about the downsides.

accompanied by drawbacks

Highlights the presence of negative aspects.

with an adverse effect

Directly indicates a negative impact.

carrying a penalty

Implies a specific punishment or negative outcome.

incurring a detriment

More formal and emphasizes the harm caused.

subject to repercussions

Highlights the potential for negative consequences.

FAQs

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

Use "at a cost" to indicate that something was achieved, but with a negative consequence or sacrifice. For example, 'The company achieved record profits, but "at a cost" of laying off 10% of its workforce'.

What are some alternatives to saying "at a cost"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "at the expense of", "with negative consequences", or "with certain trade-offs".

Is it correct to say "at no cost" or "without cost"?

Yes, both "at no cost" and "without cost" are correct and mean that something is free or doesn't require payment. These are antonyms of "at a cost".

What is the difference between "at a cost" and "for free"?

"At a cost" implies that something was gained but something else was lost in the process, while "for free" indicates that something was obtained without any payment or sacrifice. They are opposite in meaning.