cost of keeping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cost of keeping" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the expenses associated with maintaining or retaining something, such as an asset, service, or personnel. Example: "The cost of keeping the old machinery operational has become too high for the company to justify."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The cost of keeping them out?

The New York Times - Travel

But as cloud computing grows, so will the cost of keeping such large cushions of capacity.

Stanford University

Democrats have lately been complaining about the high cost of keeping troops in Iraq.

The New York Times

The cost of keeping up may soon rise, if only slightly.

The New York Times

Ultimately, he said, the cost of keeping clay courts and adding hard ones was prohibitive.

The New York Times

That's about $80 less than the daily cost of keeping an adult in prison.

The Guardian

"What we're selling our beef for is barely covering the cost of keeping the animals.

The Guardian

We want to make the cost of keeping Chaika very high for the Kremlin," Navalny said.

The Guardian

The cost of keeping the two giant companies afloat has been huge.

The New York Times

For Britain, such a transfer is accepted as the cost of keeping the union together.

The New York Times

For the annual cost of keeping one soldier in Afghanistan, 20 schools could be established.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cost of keeping", clearly specify what is being kept or maintained to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of just saying "the cost of keeping is high", specify "the cost of keeping the old machinery operational is high".

Common error

Avoid using "cost of keeping" without specifying what is being kept. Without context, the phrase loses its meaning. Always clarify the subject to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cost of keeping" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that it generally indicates the expenses related to maintaining or retaining something. For example, "The cost of keeping the animals in and the poachers out may make them uneconomic."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

19%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cost of keeping" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the expenses associated with maintaining or retaining something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in diverse contexts. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Academia, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, be specific about what is being kept to avoid ambiguity. Common alternatives include "expense of maintaining" and "price of maintaining". Numerous real-world examples demonstrate its widespread applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expense of maintaining

This alternative focuses on the financial outlay required for upkeep, similar to the original phrase.

price of maintaining

Replaces "cost" with "price", emphasizing the value exchanged for continued upkeep.

burden of maintaining

Shifts the focus to the effort and responsibility involved, rather than purely the financial aspect.

financial implications of maintaining

A more formal way to express the financial consequences of continued upkeep.

outlay for upkeep

Highlights the expenditure needed for maintenance.

expenditure for retaining

Focuses on retaining something, using "expenditure" to highlight the financial aspect.

resources needed to maintain

Broader than just financial cost, encompassing all resources.

investment in maintaining

Frames maintenance as an investment, suggesting a return.

funds required for upkeep

Specifically highlights the financial resources necessary.

financial commitment to maintaining

Emphasizes the ongoing financial obligation involved.

FAQs

How can I use "cost of keeping" in a sentence?

You can use "cost of keeping" to refer to the expenses associated with maintaining something, such as "The "cost of keeping" the old system running is too high" or "What's the "cost of keeping" people out of the hospital?".

What are some alternatives to "cost of keeping"?

Some alternatives include "expense of maintaining", "price of maintaining", or "burden of maintaining". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "cost of keeping" or "costs of keeping"?

The singular form, "cost of keeping", is generally preferred when referring to the overall expense. The plural, "costs of keeping", might be used if you are itemizing specific expenses, but the singular is more common.

What's the difference between "cost of keeping" and "difficulty of keeping"?

"Cost of keeping" refers specifically to the financial expenses associated with maintaining something. "Difficulty of keeping" refers to the challenges or effort involved, which may or may not have a direct financial impact.