cost around

USAGE SUMMARY

"cost around" is a correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate an approximate or estimated cost of something. Example: "The new iPhone model is expected to cost around $1000."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Cost: Around £380.

The Guardian - Money

Suárez will cost around £25m.

The Guardian - Sport

It will cost around $950.

TechCrunch

The loss robots cost around 0.3% a year.

Forbes

(Full pints cost around £4).

The New York Times

Vintage copies cost around $8.

The New York Times

Models cost around $100.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It normally costs around £300".

Independent

All this typically costs around £1,000.

The Guardian - Money

A two-week pass costs around £200.

The Guardian - Travel

A large table costs around 3,000 Euros.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cost around", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are providing an estimate, not an exact figure. This is especially important in formal or business settings where precision is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "cost around" when you have the exact cost figure. Using an approximation when the precise number is known undermines credibility. Instead, say "the exact cost is [amount]" or "the cost is [amount]".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cost around" functions primarily as a verb phrase used to express an estimated or approximate price. As Ludwig AI highlights, it indicates that the figure given is not exact, but rather a reasonable estimation of the expense involved.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cost around" is a common and grammatically sound way to express an approximate expense. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used to indicate that the price mentioned is an estimate rather than an exact figure. The phrase appears mostly in news and media sources, making it suitable for neutral to semi-formal communication. When writing, remember that using "cost around" implies uncertainty, and this approximation must be correct in contexts where exact figures are known or required. Consider alternatives like "approximately cost" or "roughly cost" based on context. Overall, "cost around" is a useful and versatile phrase for discussing estimated prices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately cost

Replaces "around" with "approximately", indicating a similar level of estimation, but sounds more formal.

roughly cost

Uses "roughly" instead of "around", suggesting a more general estimate.

estimate to be

Changes the structure to focus on the estimation process rather than the range.

be in the vicinity of

A more formal way to express an approximate cost, suitable for professional contexts.

be in the neighborhood of

Similar to "be in the vicinity of", but slightly less formal.

be pegged at

Suggests a cost that is closely estimated or fixed.

carry a price tag of

Emphasizes the marked price of an item, implying it might be negotiable.

be valued at approximately

Focuses on valuation rather than direct cost, often used for assets.

realize at

Indicates final cost of an auctioned item.

draw on

Indicates an estimation about expense.

FAQs

How do I use "cost around" in a sentence?

Use "cost around" when you want to provide an estimated price. For example, "The repairs will "cost around" $500" indicates that $500 is an approximate figure.

What's the difference between "cost around" and "cost exactly"?

"Cost around" implies an approximation, while "cost exactly" suggests a precise figure. If you say "The book "cost around" $20", it's an estimate. "The book "cost exactly" $20" means the price was precisely $20.

What can I say instead of "cost around"?

You can use alternatives like "approximately cost", "roughly cost", or "estimate to be" depending on the level of formality and precision required.

Is it grammatically correct to say "the estimated cost is around X"?

Yes, "the estimated cost is around X" is grammatically correct, but it can be slightly redundant. Saying "it will "cost around" X" is more concise and equally correct.