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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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at the cost of quality

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the cost of quality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is being done or achieved while sacrificing the quality of the outcome. Example: "The company decided to increase production speed, but they did so at the cost of quality, resulting in numerous defects."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Multiple drug immunosuppression has allowed the near elimination of rejection, but without commensurate improvements in longterm graft survival and at the cost of quality of life.

One possible explanation for the observed rise in paper numbers, therefore, is that Latin American scientists have increased production, perhaps at the cost of quality.

Mass production brought affordability and convenience — at the cost of quality and detail.

News & Media

Forbes

The existing system enables a rapid response to the public, but sometimes at the cost of quality of response received.

In addition, Head of Product Melissa Mazman said Hoodline is trying to "strike a balance" by surfacing content that people actually want to read without prioritizing clicks at the cost of quality or other engagement metrics.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Too often, email marketers concentrate heavily on promotional offers at the cost of quality content.

News & Media

HuffPost
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

In summary, the proposed MVC scheme achieves significant bit-rate saving ratio, up to ; meanwhile, the ROIs' image quality is improved up to  dB at the cost of imperceptible quality degradation at background regions.

If we choose to enrich our lives in the present at the cost of the quality of life of future generations, that is a choice of values that we rarely like to make explicitly.

Nevertheless, I think this data is the best way to gauge whether Tesla's higher production volumes have come at the cost of reduced quality.

News & Media

Forbes

Therefore, a possible solution to further reduce their population could consist in increasing the strength of the removal attack at the cost of image quality.

More importantly, the changes in SNR and ODG are slight, meaning that the improvement is not obtained at the cost of perceived quality.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at the cost of quality", clearly state what benefit is being gained in exchange for the reduced quality. This provides context and makes the trade-off understandable for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "at the cost of quality" as a generic criticism. Instead, provide specific examples of how quality is being affected and why the trade-off is being made.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

80%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the cost of quality" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier. It indicates a condition or consequence where something is achieved or obtained, but with a reduction in quality. Ludwig shows examples where this trade-off is highlighted in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at the cost of quality" is a prepositional phrase used to express that something is achieved or obtained while sacrificing quality. Ludwig's AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Although not very common, it appears in various contexts such as science, news, and formal business settings, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples. Related phrases include "sacrificing quality" and "at the expense of quality". When using the phrase, it's best to clearly state what is gained in exchange for the reduced quality to provide context and justification. Avoiding overuse and vague criticism helps maintain clarity and impact.

FAQs

How can I use "at the cost of quality" in a sentence?

You can use "at the cost of quality" to indicate that something is being done or achieved while sacrificing the quality of the outcome. For example: "The company decided to increase production speed, but they did so at "at the cost of quality", resulting in numerous defects."

What's a good alternative to "at the cost of quality"?

Alternatives include "sacrificing quality", "at the expense of quality", or "compromising on quality". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "at the detriment of quality"?

Yes, "at the detriment of quality" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning to "at the cost of quality". It emphasizes the negative impact on quality.

How does "at the cost of quality" differ from "at the expense of quality"?

While similar, "at the cost of quality" often implies a deliberate decision or trade-off, whereas "at the expense of quality" might suggest a less intentional or more passive degradation of quality.

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Authority and reliability

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: