basic costs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basic costs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the fundamental or essential expenses associated with a particular item, service, or project. Example: "Before we proceed with the project, let's review the basic costs involved to ensure we stay within budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If they succeed, their basic costs are covered.

The Guardian - Money

And the basic costs of living and working have risen so terrifyingly high.

The Guardian

If the beds are empty they still incur basic costs, but without income.

The Guardian

FileHamster Basic costs $29, Advanced costs $79 and Enterprise costs $99.

The Guardian - Tech

Meanwhile, the basic costs of making it from month to month keep going up.

The Guardian - Opinion

Inflation might be low, but millions can be struggling to meet basic costs just the same.

The Washington Post

Millions more are sharing space with relatives, unable to afford the basic costs of living.

The New York Times

"The school just was not able to meet basic costs," Goodness said Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

They are not receiving enough for the basic costs to cover their energy needs".

The New York Times

That is enough, they say, to pay a part-time librarian and other basic costs for years to come.

The New York Times

"We do not say that a majority of Americans don't make enough income to cover basic costs," Glasmeier said.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing project budgets, clearly define what "basic costs" include to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify if it covers materials, labor, or overhead.

Common error

Don't underestimate the impact of indirect costs (e.g., utilities, insurance) when calculating "basic costs". Failing to account for these can lead to significant budget shortfalls.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basic costs" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the fundamental expenses associated with a particular activity, project, or standard of living. As Ludwig demonstrates, this phrase is widely used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "basic costs" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the fundamental expenses associated with something. Ludwig highlights its frequent use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. While alternatives like ""essential expenses"" and ""fundamental costs"" exist, "basic costs" is versatile and widely understood. When using this phrase, it's crucial to clearly define what it encompasses to avoid misunderstandings. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to inform or explain the minimum financial resources needed for various activities, projects, or a general standard of living.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential expenses

Focuses on the necessity of the costs, implying they are indispensable.

fundamental costs

Highlights the foundational nature of the costs, suggesting they are the base upon which other expenses are built.

core expenses

Emphasizes the central importance of these costs to a budget or project.

minimum costs

Indicates the lowest possible expenditure required.

bare costs

Stresses the leanness or frugality of the costs, implying no extras are included.

base costs

Similar to fundamental costs, these are the underlying costs.

standard expenses

Common, expected expenses that are typical.

necessary expenditures

Highlights the required nature of these payments or expenses.

underlying costs

Suggests that these costs are not always immediately visible but are still important.

primary expenses

Indicates the main or most important expenses.

FAQs

How can I use "basic costs" in a sentence?

You can say, "We need to reduce the "essential expenses" to stay within budget" or "The analysis will help us understand the "fundamental costs" of the project".

What are some alternatives to "basic costs"?

Some alternatives include ""essential expenses"", ""fundamental costs"", and "core expenses", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do "basic costs" differ from "total costs"?

"Basic costs" refer to the essential expenses required for something, while "total costs" include all expenses, including variable and indirect costs, not just the "fundamental costs".

What factors influence the "basic costs" of living?

Factors include housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. These represent the "minimum costs" required to sustain a standard of living in a particular area.