at minimal cost

USAGE SUMMARY

"at minimal cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when you want to emphasize that something needs to be done as inexpensively as possible. Example: We can finish this project quickly at minimal cost.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"These resolutions help contain those risks at minimal cost.

The Guardian

Very tasty beer at minimal cost, but still not as good as I remember my dad's.

The Guardian - Money

Manufacturers bought decommissioned steel mills from the West at minimal cost and reassembled them in China.

The New Yorker

Builders and hardware suppliers need to understand how to improve comfort at minimal cost.

The New York Times

It would certainly change the geographical mix at minimal cost and effort.

The New York Times - Sports

What a lovely political algorithm: payoffs to powerful, unionized constituents at minimal cost.

The New York Times - Magazine

Also, larger clear plastic bags should be made available at minimal cost.

The New York Times

The internet has made it fast and easy to communicate with thousands of potential investors at minimal cost.

The Guardian

But it would have been another important step, at minimal cost, in helping to educate Americans about their food supply.

The New York Times

Peugeot 505s built in the 1980s are used by most people to cross the country at minimal cost.

The Guardian - Travel

It's not too difficult to build a rather more interesting sandwich with basic ingredients at minimal cost.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at minimal cost" when you want to emphasize the frugality or efficiency of an action or decision. For example, "We can improve efficiency at minimal cost by automating this process."

Common error

Avoid using "at minimal cost" if the 'minimal cost' still represents a significant portion of the overall budget or poses a substantial financial risk. Be transparent about the actual financial implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at minimal cost" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which an action is performed. It specifies that something is done or obtained with very little expense or investment. Ludwig examples confirm its role in describing actions that prioritize cost-effectiveness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at minimal cost" is a versatile and widely used expression for indicating efficiency and frugality. As Ludwig AI states, its grammatically correct and indicates that something is achieved or obtainable with very little expense or investment. With significant presence in contexts like News & Media, Science and Formal & Business, Ludwig examples demonstrate that "at minimal cost" finds use across various domains. When considering alternative phrasing, options such as "at a low cost" or "cheaply" can provide similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a low cost

Emphasizes the low monetary value involved.

at a minimum expense

Highlights the reduced financial outlay required.

with little expense

Focuses on the small amount of expenditure.

for next to nothing

Implies a very small or negligible cost.

cheaply

A simpler, more direct way of saying "at minimal cost".

economically

Highlights the economic efficiency of the action.

at a bargain price

Suggests getting something of value for less than expected.

without significant investment

Emphasizes the lack of major capital outlay.

at a reduced rate

Highlights the lowered price or charge for a service or product.

at a budget price

Suggests something is affordable and fits within a limited budget.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "at minimal cost"?

You can use alternatives like "at a low cost", "cheaply", or "economically" depending on the context.

What does "at minimal cost" imply?

The phrase "at minimal cost" implies that something can be achieved or obtained with very little expenditure of money, resources, or effort. It suggests a focus on efficiency and frugality.

Is it appropriate to use "at minimal cost" in formal writing?

Yes, "at minimal cost" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in business or academic contexts, when discussing strategies for cost reduction or efficient resource allocation. The register is neutral and the structure is widely accepted.

What's the difference between "at minimal cost" and "at no cost"?

"At minimal cost" means there is some cost involved, but it is very small. "At no cost" means it is completely free. Using the incorrect phrase can misrepresent the actual financial implications.