cost and effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"cost and effort" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the money, time, and energy that is needed to perform a task or complete a project. For example: "This project has required a great deal of cost and effort to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Though possible in theory, the cost and effort of doing so makes this unfeasible in practice.

The Economist

I'm just not sure that the time saved is worth the cost and effort.

The New York Times

But he changed his mind, daunted by the cost and effort involved.

The New York Times

It would certainly change the geographical mix at minimal cost and effort.

The New York Times - Sports

Science will find dietary substitutes that can be produced at infinitely less cost and effort.

The Washington Post

Therefore, there is need to develop new methods with less cost and effort.

Microprocessors and Microsystems

Such improvement is achieved without requiring additional cost and effort for inspection.

Journal of Manufacturing Systems

It's B-movie TV, in other words, even if it's acted, shot and produced at tremendous cost and effort.

The Guardian - Tech

Would such a jump justify all the cost and effort that has gone into the Affordable Care Act?

The New Yorker

The assumption, he said, had been that "the cost and effort were so high, it created a barrier to entry".

The New York Times

As CIOs pitch new IT projects and their teams undertake delivery, cost and effort estimates can vary wildly.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When evaluating projects, quantify both the "cost and effort" required. Providing concrete figures helps stakeholders understand the full scope of the commitment.

Common error

Don't only consider direct expenses when assessing "cost and effort". Include indirect costs like training, maintenance, and potential delays to get a complete picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cost and effort" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As confirmed by Ludwig, it refers to the combined financial expense and the amount of exertion required to achieve something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cost and effort" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to evaluate the resources—both financial and physical/mental—needed for a task. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile phrase appearing frequently in scientific, news, and business contexts. Related phrases such as "time and resources" and "investment and labor" can provide alternative ways to express similar concepts, emphasizing different aspects of resource expenditure. When using "cost and effort", remember to quantify both direct and indirect expenses to provide a complete picture. By understanding its nuances and considering alternative expressions, you can effectively communicate the full scope of a project's demands.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time and resources

Focuses more broadly on the resources consumed, including time, which is a major component of effort.

investment and labor

Highlights the financial investment alongside the physical or mental work required.

price and exertion

Emphasizes the monetary cost and the degree of strain or struggle involved.

expense and trouble

Draws attention to the financial outlay and the inconvenience or difficulty caused.

commitment and work

Stresses dedication required, measured in terms of work

input and energy

Highlights the contribution of resources and the vitality expended.

outlay and application

Focuses on the expenditure of funds and the focused use of resources or skills.

expenditure and pain

Emphasizes the financial cost and the unpleasantness or difficulty associated with the task.

sacrifice and toil

Highlights the sacrifices made and the arduous nature of the work.

charge and hassle

Implies a fee or financial burden coupled with inconvenience or annoyance.

FAQs

How can I quantify the "cost and effort" of a project?

Break down the project into smaller tasks, estimate the monetary cost and time required for each, and then sum these estimates to get the total "cost and effort".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "cost and effort"?

Depending on the context, consider using alternatives such as "time and resources", "investment and labor", or "price and exertion".

Is it redundant to use both "cost" and "effort"?

No, "cost" typically refers to financial expenditure, while "effort" refers to the time, energy, and resources expended. Using both provides a more comprehensive understanding.

How does "cost and effort" influence decision-making?

Evaluating "cost and effort" helps determine the feasibility and return on investment for a project, allowing for informed decisions about resource allocation and prioritization.