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CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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costed at

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "costed at" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct term is "cost" when referring to the price of something. Example: "The project was cost at $10,000." should be "The project cost $10,000."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The plan had previously been costed at $300m.

News & Media

The Guardian

She said the government's plan to take 12,000 Syrian refugees was costed at $700m.

News & Media

The Guardian

The proposal has been costed at about €5m by the theatre group.

News & Media

The Times

It is now being costed at £12m once maintenance is taken into account.

The plan was costed at $33bn, although many details are not yet clear.

News & Media

The Guardian

Running it for that period was costed at $185m over two years in the federal budget papers.

News & Media

The Guardian

The public benefits arising from the forests and meadows it will destroy have been costed at £1m per year.

The Stern report on the costs of climate change estimates that every tonne of carbon emitted can be costed at £50.

News & Media

The Guardian

The only problem is that it has been costed at $300m and they ask how I am going to reduce it by $150m.

News & Media

The Guardian

Soundproofing for Cherry Bar has been costed at between $80,000 and $100,000 – a year's profit for this privately owned small business.

In the wake of those projects, the city has drawn up a new to-do list which it has costed at nearly €500m.

News & Media

The Guardian
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the cost of something, prefer the active voice using the verb "cost" directly. For example, instead of "The project was costed at $10,000", write "The project cost $10,000".

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions like "was costed" as they can make your writing sound less direct and less clear. Opt for active voice to enhance clarity and conciseness.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

3.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "costed at" typically functions as part of a passive construction where it indicates the valuation or estimated price of something. Although commonly found, Ludwig AI suggests it's better to use the active verb "cost" directly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "costed at" is commonly encountered across various contexts, including news, science, and business, Ludwig AI indicates that it is not grammatically ideal. A more direct and grammatically sound approach involves using the verb "cost" in the active voice. Consider alternatives like "priced at" or "valued at" for clarity and grammatical correctness. By adopting these suggestions, you can enhance the precision and professionalism of your writing.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "costed at"?

While commonly used, the phrase "costed at" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use the verb "cost" directly. For example, say "The project "cost" $10,000" instead of "The project was costed at $10,000".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "costed at"?

Alternatives to "costed at" include phrases like "priced at", "valued at", or simply using the verb ""cost"".

How can I use the verb "cost" correctly in a sentence?

Use "cost" directly to indicate the expense. For example, "The new equipment "cost" $5000" or "The repairs will "cost" a fortune".

Is there a difference between saying "the item costs" versus "the item is priced at"?

While both convey the expense of an item, "the item costs" is more direct. "The item is priced at" is also correct and is a more descriptive alternative that emphasizes the act of setting the price.

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

3.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: