bare cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bare cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the basic or minimal cost of something without any additional expenses or overheads included. Example: "The bare cost of the project was significantly lower than we initially estimated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We got the rights to play 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes' in a Cancer Society anti-smoking message for just a hundred and sixty-eight dollars and fifty cents, which represented the bare cost of the legal paperwork involved.

The New Yorker

But critics contend that while pre-selling probably does cover the bare cost of film making, Cannon often doesn't receive enough in box-office receipts to cover its substantial costs for prints and marketing--often $3 million or more per film.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"A substantial majority of people are willing to bare costs to benefit future generations," Rand said in the email.

Huffington Post

But the report is expected to lay bare the cost of supporting such services.

The Guardian

The movie might even inaugurate a new "late" period for this director: one showing him making peace with himself and with his past, but still laying painfully bare the cost of this process.

The Guardian - Film

In the mid-1920s, a bare chassis cost nearly $10,000, but the stylish Italian still was the second-hottest-selling foreign make after the Rolls-Royce.

Forbes

They recount visceral images with unintended poetry and lay bare the cost of conflict and the inclinations of men accustomed to trenches and disease.

Los Angeles Times

Nanocrystalline SnO2 thin films were grown on bare Si (100) substrates using a simple cost-effective sol gel method.

Nano-Micro Letters

Instead ministers have presented bare procurement costs as if they represented the full costs to taxpayers of proposed new weapons systems", Greenpeace says.

The Guardian

The government's struggling response has laid bare the costs of a protracted political crisis that has left this impoverished South Asian nation without a formal constitution or elected local leaders.

Los Angeles Times

In rural areas, said one official of a foreign-based charity who declined to be named, fearing consequences from the government, even the barest funeral costs at least $6 million, or about $28.50 — well beyond most families' means.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing budgets or financial plans, use "bare cost" to specify the most essential expenses, excluding any optional or extra charges.

Common error

Avoid using "bare cost" when you need to include overhead costs like marketing or distribution. It only covers the fundamental expenses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bare cost" functions as a noun phrase that quantifies expenses. It specifically describes the lowest possible financial amount associated with a product or service, excluding additional fees or markups. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is indeed correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bare cost" is a noun phrase referring to the minimum expense required for something, excluding additional fees. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and usable in writing. While "bare cost" appears infrequently, it’s appropriate in both news and scientific contexts. Common synonyms include "minimum cost", "basic cost", and "essential cost". When using "bare cost", make sure to specify the fundamental expenses without optional charges to avoid misunderstandings. Remember to be accurate with this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimum cost

Emphasizes the lowest possible expenditure required.

basic cost

Highlights the fundamental expenses without additional features.

essential cost

Focuses on the indispensable expenses needed for something.

net cost

Highlights the final cost after all deductions and additions have been accounted for.

raw cost

Emphasizes the cost before any markups or fees.

base price

Indicates the starting price without any options or extras.

fundamental cost

Refers to the underlying and most important expenses.

initial outlay

Focuses on the initial expenditure required to start something.

absolute minimum cost

Emphasizes the lowest conceivable expense.

underlying cost

Focuses on the hidden or not immediately obvious expenses.

FAQs

How to use "bare cost" in a sentence?

You can use "bare cost" to refer to the absolute minimum expense required for something. For example, "We got the rights to play 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes' in a Cancer Society anti-smoking message for just a hundred and sixty-eight dollars and fifty cents, which represented the "bare cost" of the legal paperwork involved."

What can I say instead of "bare cost"?

You can use alternatives like "minimum cost", "basic cost", or "essential cost" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "bare cost" and "total cost"?

"Bare cost" refers to the absolute minimum expenses, while "total cost" includes all additional expenses like overhead, marketing, and distribution.

Is "bare cost" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "bare cost" is acceptable for formal writing, particularly in business and financial contexts where specifying the minimum expense is important.