at full cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at full cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the total price or expense of something without any discounts or reductions. Example: "The company decided to sell the product at full cost to maintain its profit margins."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Initially, the Medicare buy-in proposal would allow some people ages 55 to 64 to buy coverage at full cost.

The New York Times

Without a certificate, she can go on the trip only at full cost: 200 euros, which Esma doesn't have.

The New York Times

This is not an add-on; a luxury which those who wish to indulge should pay for at full cost.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Aviles also encouraged the Senate to accept House language to allow illegal immigrants to buy health coverage on new government exchanges at full cost.

The New York Times

I am eligible for Medicaid, but because of my treatment needs, I want to purchase insurance on the exchange (even at full cost).

The New York Times

The state parried with a six-figure bill reflecting Mr. Kaplan's years of care, including the day he was murdered, calculated at full cost.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Although the direct costs of research were removed, time input by international staff into the daily running and co-ordination of the intervention were included at full costs.

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

And the shrunken undergraduate business will be run more profitably: those admitted at full-cost fees, from countries outside the European Union (EU), will rise from 8% to 15% over the next ten years.Others with similar ambitions are likely to follow suit.

The Economist

They may, for example, offer an iPhone for $200 instead of the $600 or more that the device costs at full price.

The New York Times - Tech

And they predict it will cost between $300 and $400 at full price — significantly cheaper than the current iPhone, at $650, but still more expensive than some of the dirt-cheap Android phones offered in China and India.

The New York Times - Tech

A spokesperson for the company said the ad space would normally have cost £400 at full price, though they cannot confirm how much "Lisa" paid as they did not take the booking directly.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at full cost", ensure the context clearly indicates that no discounts, subsidies, or reductions are applied. This is especially important in financial or transactional discussions.

Common error

While "at full cost" often suggests a higher expense, avoid assuming it's always unaffordable. The affordability depends on individual circumstances and the value proposition of what's being purchased.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at full cost" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the price or expense associated with an action or item. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it clarifies that no reductions or discounts are applied.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at full cost" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to specify that a price or expense is being discussed without any discounts, subsidies, or reductions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media and scientific domains. While it often suggests a higher expense, it's important to avoid assuming it's always unaffordable. Related phrases include "at the total price" and "at the full price". When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the absence of any price reductions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the total price

Replaces "cost" with "price" emphasizing the monetary value.

at the full price

Similar to "at the total price", it indicates the undiscounted price.

at the complete price

Uses "complete" instead of "full" to highlight the entire amount.

at the entire expense

Focuses on the overall expense rather than just the cost.

at the undiscounted rate

Specifies that no discount is applied to the price.

at the standard rate

Implies the normal or usual price without reductions.

at the face value

Highlights the nominal or stated value.

at rack rate

Commonly used in the hospitality industry to mean the standard, undiscounted price.

at list price

Refers to the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP).

without any deductions

Emphasizes the absence of any subtractions or discounts from the price.

FAQs

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

You can use "at full cost" to indicate that something is being purchased or provided without any discounts or subsidies. For example: "Illegal immigrants can buy policies "at full cost" on government-run exchanges."

What's a synonym for "at full cost"?

Synonyms for "at full cost" include "at the full price", "at the total price", or "at the standard rate", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "at full cost"?

It's appropriate to use "at full cost" when you want to emphasize that the price being discussed is the complete, undiscounted price, especially when there might be an expectation of a discount or subsidy.

What is the difference between "at full cost" and "at cost"?

"At cost" refers to the price that the seller paid for the item, without any markup for profit. "At full cost" refers to the total price, including all expenses and possibly profit.