at nominal cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at nominal cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is available for a very low price or for free, often in a formal or business context. Example: "The workshop will be offered at nominal cost to encourage participation from the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It is a service that a travel management or security company can arrange at nominal cost.

The New York Times

They are leasing land to Muslims at nominal cost and subsidizing Muslim cultural associations that, in turn, administer the construction and operation of local mosques.

The New York Times

In fact, such cases, which most often involve indigent people facing bankruptcy or eviction, are often disposed of at nominal cost to a firm.

The New York Times

If cloud computing fulfils its promise, then bursts of Watson-like performance could be available to the public at nominal cost even sooner.

The Economist

Every Cuban household had (and still has) a ration book (or libreta) entitling it to a monthly supply of food and other staples, provided at nominal cost.

The Economist

In most developing countries, contraception is in theory available to the indigent either free or at nominal cost through state agencies.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Public investments in health care for people living in rural areas culminated in the early 21st century in a national plan allowing most people access to health care at nominal costs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The institute also has cores equipped with the state-of-the-art equipment to provide services such as DNA sequencing, flow cytometry, in situ hybridization, and gene knockout, all at nominal costs to the users.

Science Magazine

Finally, the Allied General Hospital (AGH) in Faisalabad is a large public hospital in Faisalabad that cares for urban as well as rural patients from central Punjab at nominal costs.

BMC Public Health

The job paid Ms. Gaton $650 every two weeks and included health insurance at a nominal cost.

The New York Times

Taught free to high school teams in Cincinnati, it's available at a nominal cost to individual players or teams elsewhere in the country (www.sportsmetrics.net).net

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at nominal cost", ensure the context clearly indicates that the cost is intentionally kept very low, often to encourage wider participation or accessibility.

Common error

Avoid using "at nominal cost" when something is entirely free. "Nominal" implies a symbolic, but existent, charge, not complete absence of cost.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at nominal cost" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the price or expense associated with something. It is an adverbial modifier specifying the financial condition under which something is available, as exemplified by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science & Research

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at nominal cost" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys that something is available for a very low price. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is deemed perfectly usable in written English and carries the implication of a deliberately reduced price to promote accessibility. It is commonly found across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific publications. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly emphasizes the intention behind the low cost. Avoiding the misconception that "nominal cost" means "no cost" is crucial for accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a pittance

Replaces "at nominal cost" by emphasizing the extremely small amount of money involved, often implying it's less than something is worth.

for a song

Substitutes "at nominal cost" suggesting something is acquired very cheaply, similar to buying something for the price of a song.

at a bargain price

Replaces "at nominal cost" highlighting that the item or service is being offered at a significantly lower price than usual.

for next to nothing

Replaces "at nominal cost", emphasizing that the cost is so minimal it's almost as if it were free.

at a heavily discounted rate

Replaces "at nominal cost" by specifying the significant reduction in price.

at a fraction of the price

Substitutes "at nominal cost" focusing on the reduced price compared to the original or expected cost.

for a trifling sum

Replaces "at nominal cost" by denoting the very small amount of money required.

at a giveaway price

Replaces "at nominal cost" emphasizing how extremely cheap the cost is, implying it's practically being given away.

at a knock-down price

Replaces "at nominal cost" indicating a significantly reduced or very low price, often used in sales or auctions.

at a reduced rate

Replaces "at nominal cost" by specifying a lower price than the usual one.

FAQs

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

Use "at nominal cost" to indicate something is offered for a very low price. For example, "The software is available to students "at nominal cost" to support their learning".

What phrases are similar to "at nominal cost"?

Similar phrases include "for a pittance", "at a bargain price", or "for next to nothing", all suggesting something is very inexpensive.

Is it correct to say "at a nominal cost" or simply "at nominal cost"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "at a nominal cost" emphasizes the presence of a cost, however small. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.

How does "at nominal cost" differ from "free of charge"?

"At nominal cost" implies a small fee is required, whereas "free of charge" indicates that no payment is necessary. The terms are not interchangeable.