at substantial cost

USAGE SUMMARY

"at substantial cost" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a great expense or sacrifice that must be made to achieve something, as in the following example: "The company invested heavily in a new marketing campaign at substantial cost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Aircraft were being delivered months late - at substantial cost overruns.

The New York Times

Desperate organizers found a new location but at substantial cost.

The New York Times

On the other hand, enforcing the law clogs up courts and keeps bureaucrats busy, at substantial cost.

The Economist

He also confirmed he is having to entirely rework the IT system at substantial cost because the original IT failed to meet the needs of claimants.

The Guardian

He has also confirmed he is having to entirely rework the IT system at substantial cost because the original IT failed to meet the needs of claimants.

The Guardian

This lack of organization comes at substantial cost to the Earth-surface science community (i.e., geomorphologists, sedimentary geologists, and engineers) through missed opportunities to address scientific challenges.

Geomorphology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The debate over Medicaid is a prime example: Medicaid coverage confers enormous benefits to enrollees but at substantial costs to taxpayers.

University of Chicago

These findings are summarized in a new paper by Harald Uhlig of the University of Chicago, who writes that "the analysis here may lead one to conclude that the long-term consequences of massive expansions in government stimulus come at substantial costs".

Forbes

Family caregiving often comes at substantial costs to the caregivers themselves, to their families, and to society.

Huffington Post

Although all these methods achieve their goals, they involve probes and/or equipment that have to be purchased from manufacturers at substantial costs as well as loss of time.

Plosone

Maximum defence is not necessarily the optimal defence, especially when this would come at substantial costs for other fitness relevant traits.

Evolutionary Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at substantial cost" to clearly indicate that achieving something required a significant expense or sacrifice. This phrase effectively conveys the magnitude of resources expended.

Common error

Avoid using "at substantial cost" for minor expenses. This phrase implies a considerable investment or sacrifice, so ensure the context warrants such a strong expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at substantial cost" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the condition or manner in which an action is performed or a result is achieved. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at substantial cost" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize a significant expense or sacrifice. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly employed across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "at considerable expense" and "at great sacrifice" exist, choosing the right phrase depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember that this phrase implies a considerable burden, so use it judiciously to ensure your writing remains impactful and accurate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at considerable expense

Replaces 'cost' with 'expense', emphasizing the financial aspect.

at significant expense

Combines 'significant' with 'expense' for emphasis.

at a high price

A more direct synonym, focusing on the elevated monetary value.

at a steep price

Similar to 'high price' but implies a more drastic or difficult cost.

at great sacrifice

Substitutes 'cost' with 'sacrifice', highlighting a non-monetary loss.

at a heavy toll

Replaces 'cost' with 'toll', suggesting a negative consequence or burden.

at a premium

Uses a different idiom to indicate a higher than normal price.

at enormous expenditure

Emphasizes the large scale of the spending.

with significant investment

Replaces 'cost' with 'investment', framing it as a financial outlay.

with a major outlay

Focuses on the financial expenditure involved.

FAQs

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

You can use "at substantial cost" to indicate that something was achieved with a significant expenditure of resources. For example: "The project was completed, but "at substantial cost"."

What are some alternatives to "at substantial cost"?

Some alternatives include "at considerable expense", "at great sacrifice", or "at a premium", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "at substantial cost" or "at high cost"?

"At substantial cost" implies a larger and more significant expense than "at high cost". Choose the phrase that best reflects the magnitude of the cost involved.

What is the difference between "at substantial cost" and "at a cost"?

"At a cost" simply indicates that there was some expense involved, while "at substantial cost" emphasizes that the expense was significant.