cost me

USAGE SUMMARY

"cost me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the financial cost of something, such as "This purchase cost me $50."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That cost me".

The New York Times - Sports

They cost me $80.

The New York Times - Magazine

This cost me.

The New York Times

It cost me $3.

The New York Times

It'll cost me 277 bucks".

The New York Times - Magazine

It cost me about 50p.

Independent

"He cost me a lot".

The New Yorker

It cost me a fortune".

Independent

So it'll cost me votes.

Independent

It cost me a marriage.

The New York Times

"My anger cost me everything.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of something negative, use "cost me" to clearly convey the loss or expense incurred, whether it's financial, emotional, or related to time and effort.

Common error

Avoid using "cost me" when describing abstract concepts or situations where a direct loss isn't involved. For example, instead of saying "The challenge cost me motivation", consider "The challenge diminished my motivation" to better reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cost me" functions as a transitive verb phrase, where "cost" is the verb and "me" is the direct object. It indicates that someone or something has incurred a loss or expense. Ludwig's examples show diverse applications, from financial costs to emotional or opportunity costs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cost me" is a versatile phrase used to express a loss or expense incurred by the speaker. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It functions as a transitive verb phrase, conveying negative consequences in various contexts, primarily in news and media, but also in informal settings. While predominantly neutral in register, the phrase can carry emotional weight depending on the nature of the loss being described. Common related phrases include "resulted in a loss for me" and "set me back", offering alternative ways to express the same sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set me back

Indicates a setback, often financially.

resulted in a loss for me

Emphasizes the outcome of losing something.

I had to shell out

Informal, emphasizes reluctance to pay.

amounted to a loss of

Highlights the total loss experienced.

left me with a bill of

Indicates the final amount to be paid.

took its toll on me

Focuses on the negative impact.

incurred a charge of

Formal way of stating the financial cost.

required me to pay

Focuses on the obligation to pay.

created an expense for me

Highlights the creation of an expense.

demanded a payment from me of

Emphasizes the act of requesting payment.

FAQs

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

Use "cost me" to indicate a loss or expense you incurred. For example, "The repairs "cost me" $500", or "That mistake "cost me" the game".

What are some alternatives to saying "cost me"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "resulted in a loss for me", "set me back", or "incurred a charge of" as alternatives to "cost me".

Is it correct to say "it cost to me" instead of "it cost me"?

No, "it cost to me" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""cost me"", where "me" is the direct object of the verb "cost".

What's the difference between "cost me" and "charged me"?

"Cost me" implies a loss or expense, while "charged me" specifically refers to the act of someone requesting payment from you for a service or product.