cost nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

"cost nothing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used in situations where something has no monetary cost or is free. Example: "The tickets to the concert didn't cost us anything because we won them in a radio contest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They cost nothing.

The Economist

It cost nothing.

The New Yorker

They cost nothing to consume.

The New York Times

Good manners cost nothing.

The Guardian - Opinion

It cost nothing to look online.

The New York Times

Some good apps even cost nothing.

The New York Times - Tech

The bags used last year cost nothing.

The New York Times

But dreams, however unrealistic, cost nothing.

The Guardian

Some art in the terminal cost nothing.

The New York Times - Arts

Now everywhere and they cost nothing.

The Guardian - Books

"It cost nothing," Mr. Pritzker told his colleagues.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the value of something intangible like effort or time, use "cost nothing" to highlight the lack of monetary investment, contrasting it with potentially high non-monetary costs.

Common error

Avoid implying that something which "cost nothing" has no value or consequence; consider the potential trade-offs or missed opportunities associated with choosing it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cost nothing" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It asserts that there is no monetary expense associated with a particular action, item, or service, indicating it is free or without charge. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cost nothing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It signifies the absence of financial expense, making it applicable in numerous contexts, particularly in News & Media, Arts, and Wiki. While it highlights the lack of monetary cost, it's essential to consider potential non-monetary costs or trade-offs. Alternatives such as "be free of charge" or "be available at no cost" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Remember to consider the specific context of "cost nothing" to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be free of charge

Emphasizes the absence of a fee or payment.

be available at no cost

Highlights the availability without any financial burden.

be provided gratis

Uses a more formal term to denote something given freely.

not involve any expenditure

Focuses on the lack of spending required.

come without a price tag

Suggests the absence of a marked price.

be supplied complimentary

Indicates that something is given as a courtesy or gift.

be dispensed without payment

Stresses the lack of money exchanged.

be obtainable for nothing

Highlights the ease of getting something without spending.

carry no financial burden

Emphasizes the lack of financial obligation.

not require any outlay

Focuses on the lack of initial investment.

FAQs

How can I use "cost nothing" in a sentence?

You can use "cost nothing" to emphasize that something is free of charge. For example, "The advice I received "cost nothing", but it was invaluable."

What are some alternatives to saying "cost nothing"?

Alternatives include "be free of charge", "be available at no cost", or "be provided gratis", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "costs nothing" instead of "cost nothing"?

The phrase "cost nothing" is typically used in the past tense or in hypothetical situations. "Costs nothing" would be used in the present tense when referring to something that is currently free.

What is the difference between "cost nothing" and "is invaluable"?

"Cost nothing" refers to the absence of a monetary expense, while "is invaluable" refers to something that's so precious that its value cannot be quantified by a monetary value. You can use both in the same sentence to mean that something did not require money, but has non quantifiable value.