cost-free

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cost-free" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that does not require payment or financial expenditure. Example: "The workshop is cost-free for all participants." Alternative expressions include "free of charge" and "without cost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

It's not cost-free, that.

Independent

But the program was not cost-free.

The New York Times

Not that the policy was cost-free.

The Economist

Constitutional rights are not cost-free.

The New York Times - Books

These are not cost-free operations".

The New Yorker

But banking is not cost-free.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Cost: Free or low cost.

The New York Times - Health

The cost: free, courtesy of the Town of Greenburgh.

The New York Times

Cost: Free, but if you're feeling generous, 5 euros.

The New York Times - Travel

Yet, it would not be a cost free process.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cost: Free.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cost-free", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to financial cost, effort, or some other kind of burden. "Cost-free" doesn't always mean without any implications.

Common error

Don't assume that "cost-free" implies a complete absence of any implications. While it means no financial cost, there may still be time commitments, effort, or other non-monetary costs involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cost-free" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something does not involve any financial expense. Ludwig examples show it describing operations, revenue, and working capital.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cost-free" is a versatile adjective, widely used to indicate the absence of financial expense. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and commonly found in news and media. While similar to "free", it often implies a more comprehensive absence of cost. When using "cost-free", remember that it doesn't always mean without any implications, as time or effort might still be required. Consider using alternatives like "free of charge" or "without cost" for variety. Remember not to assume "cost-free" implies a complete absence of any implications. In conclusion, "cost-free" is a useful term, but awareness of its subtle nuances will refine your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

No-cost

A shorter, hyphenated version with the same meaning.

Free

A simpler, more direct way of saying "cost-free".

Free of charge

Emphasizes the absence of any payment or fee.

Without charge

Similar to "free of charge", directly stating no cost is involved.

At no cost

Highlights the absence of expense to the user or recipient.

Without payment

Explicitly states that no money needs to be exchanged.

Gratis

A more formal or technical term for "free".

Complimentary

Often used when something is given as a courtesy or promotion.

For nothing

An informal way to indicate that something is free.

Unpaid

Focuses on the lack of payment, but could also refer to labor.

FAQs

How can I use "cost-free" in a sentence?

You can use "cost-free" to describe something that doesn't require payment, such as, "The workshop is "free of charge" for all participants" or "The initial consultation is "without charge"."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "cost-free"?

Alternatives to "cost-free" include "free of charge", "without cost", "gratis", and "complimentary", depending on the specific context.

Is "cost-free" the same as "free"?

While similar, "cost-free" often implies a more comprehensive absence of cost, whereas "free" might only refer to monetary value. Using "at no cost" could emphasize absence of expense.

When should I use "cost-free" instead of "free"?

Use "cost-free" when you want to emphasize that there are no associated expenses, fees, or charges. Consider using it when contrasting with situations where there are costs involved. For example "Wrestling Time is a "cost-free favourite"."