cost a fortune

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cost a fortune" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is extremely expensive. For example: "The repairs to my car cost a fortune."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It cost a fortune.

The Economist

They cost a fortune.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It must have cost a fortune.

The New York Times

The movie cost a fortune and flopped.

Independent

They cost a fortune to maintain.

The New Yorker

This had cost a fortune.

The New York Times - Arts

Then it must cost a fortune.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I hope it didn't cost a fortune".

The New Yorker

"It would cost a fortune," he said.

The Guardian

It doesn't have to cost a fortune.

The Guardian

"It won't cost a fortune, either".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cost a fortune" to emphasize the high price of something, especially when you want to convey a sense of extravagance or difficulty in affording it.

Common error

Avoid using "cost a fortune" in contexts where a moderate expense is more accurate. Overstating the cost can diminish the impact of your message and sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cost a fortune" functions as a predicate in sentences, describing the high expense associated with a particular subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and commonly used. Examples show it used in various contexts to emphasize significant financial burden.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cost a fortune" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is very expensive. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's widely used and understood. While suitable for many contexts, including news and media, more formal settings may benefit from alternatives like "require a large investment". The phrase functions as a predicate, emphasizing the significant financial burden associated with a subject. Avoid using "cost a fortune" when describing moderate expenses to maintain accuracy and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be extremely expensive

This alternative uses a more descriptive and straightforward way to express high cost.

be very costly

Replaces "fortune" with "costly", focusing on the monetary aspect of the expense.

break the bank

This is an idiom that means to use up all of one's savings or to be too expensive.

be prohibitively priced

Highlights that the price is so high that it prevents purchase or participation.

require a large investment

Focuses on the investment aspect, suitable for business or financial contexts.

be an arm and a leg

This idiom emphasizes the significant sacrifice required to afford something.

command a high price

Emphasizes the inherent value or desirability that justifies a high cost.

cost a pretty penny

This idiom is a slightly less intense way of saying something is expensive.

incur significant expenses

Focuses on the action of spending a lot of money.

empty your pockets

Figurative language that suggests spending a large amount of money.

FAQs

How can I use "cost a fortune" in a sentence?

You can use "cost a fortune" to describe something that is very expensive. For example, "Renovating the old house "cost a fortune"."

What's a less dramatic way to say "cost a fortune"?

Alternatives include "be extremely expensive" or "be very costly", which convey the same meaning but with less emphasis.

Is "cost a fortune" appropriate for formal writing?

While understandable, "cost a fortune" is generally better suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "require a large investment".

What does it mean when something "costs an arm and a leg" instead of "costs a fortune"?

Both phrases indicate high cost, but "cost an arm and a leg" is a more figurative and emphatic way of saying something is very expensive. "Cost a fortune" is generally more straightforward.