cost approximately

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cost approximately" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when providing an estimate of the price of an item or service. Example: "The new software will cost approximately $200 for a single license."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The bracelet in 1976 cost approximately $500.

Wikipedia

Public schools cost approximately nothing.

The New Yorker

So Ahmed's stay cost approximately £3,614.13.

The Guardian

These projects would cost approximately $50 million.

The Guardian

The renovated playground will cost approximately $1 million.

The New York Times

They cost approximately $72.39 a day to incarcerate.

The Guardian

The service cost approximately £6m over four years.

The Guardian

Each of those ads cost approximately $11,000, he said.

The Washington Post

Day ski passes can be purchased in the resort and cost approximately £25.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

They have estimated that each will cost approximately $40 million to $60 million.

The New York Times - Sports

So Harvard cost approximately 60percentt of my parents' take-home income.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cost approximately", ensure that the context provides a clear understanding of what is being estimated. Specify units of currency (e.g., USD, EUR, GBP) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid adding overly precise details after using "cost approximately". For instance, don't say "cost approximately $100.00", as the approximation implies a lack of exactness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cost approximately" functions as a quantifying expression, providing an estimated value or price. It is typically used to convey that the stated cost is not exact but rather an educated guess or close estimation. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cost approximately" is a common and grammatically correct way to express an estimated expense. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various registers, though it's most frequently found in news and media sources. To enhance clarity, always specify the currency and avoid adding excessively precise details after the approximation. Alternatives like "cost about" or "cost around" offer similar meanings. Remember that this expression conveys an estimation and should not be confused with precise cost declarations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cost about

Replaces "approximately" with "about", indicating a similar level of estimation.

cost around

Substitutes "approximately" with "around", suggesting a cost within a certain range.

estimated cost

Rephrases the expression to focus on the estimation of the cost.

approximate price

Changes the structure to emphasize the price being approximate.

roughly costs

Replaces "approximately" with "roughly", conveying a similar sense of imprecision.

is in the neighborhood of

Uses a more idiomatic expression to indicate an approximate value.

is in the vicinity of

Similar to "in the neighborhood of", but slightly more formal.

runs in the order of

Indicates a cost within a certain order of magnitude.

comes to something like

Suggests a cost that is similar to a given amount.

hovers around

Implies that the cost is close to a certain value, with possible fluctuations.

FAQs

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

You can use "cost approximately" to indicate an estimated price or expense. For example, "The renovation will "cost approximately" $50,000".

What are some alternatives to "cost approximately"?

Alternatives include "cost about", "cost around", or "estimated cost". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "cost approximately" or "approximately cost"?

"Cost approximately" is the more common and natural word order. "Approximately cost" is grammatically correct but less frequently used.

What is the difference between "cost approximately" and "cost exactly"?

"Cost approximately" implies an estimation, while "cost exactly" indicates a precise and confirmed amount. They are antonyms and should be used in different situations.