costly commitment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "costly commitment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a commitment that requires significant financial resources or sacrifices. Example: "The project demands a costly commitment from the investors, which may deter some from participating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Again, a long-term, costly commitment is going to be needed.

The Economist

The Channel 4 News brand is seen as distinct and respected, but is a costly commitment.

The Guardian - Opinion

But if Brexit happened this costly commitment would be in doubt.

The Guardian

The rebirth involved immigration, private investment and a costly commitment of public money.

The New York Times

This requires a costly commitment, which will only be made if most people believe a positive outcome is both attainable and worthwhile.

The New York Times

The purpose of the plotters was to remove an idealistic president bent on ending America's doomed and costly commitment in South West Asia.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Such comments provided new ammunition to Republicans already worried about the costly commitments undertaken by the federal government to stave off an economic collapse.

The New York Times - Health

This effort to salvage a dire real estate situation through very expensive government support was transpiring at an unfortunate juncture; the empire's finances were strained by a costly military commitment in a remote and clan-riven territory.

The New York Times

The unending war in Afghanistan is rapidly being transformed into Obama's version of the Iraq debacle, with a growing proportion of the electorate losing faith in this costly overseas commitment that has become the center of gravity for Obama's war on terror.

Huffington Post

Osborne is thought to be searching for ways to increase the tax take in order to fund costly manifesto commitments, including increasing the threshold for paying the higher rate of income tax to £50,000 and raising the tax-free personal allowance to £12,000.

The Guardian

In particular, safety is one system property that can only be analyzed by considering both the equipment and its controller, so mechatronic methodologies early in the design are advantageous for discovering safety-related design constraints before costly design commitments are made.

Mechatronics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "costly commitment", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the commitment expensive, whether it's financial resources, time, or other sacrifices. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the cost of the commitment without providing specific details or evidence. This can weaken your argument and make your statement seem less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "costly commitment" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "costly" modifies the noun "commitment". It describes a commitment that involves significant expense or sacrifice, both financial and otherwise. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "costly commitment" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes an obligation involving significant expense or sacrifice. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, primarily news and media, science, and encyclopedias. Alternatives such as "expensive undertaking" or "resource-intensive pledge" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the nature and extent of the cost involved to enhance clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expensive undertaking

This alternative focuses on the monetary aspect of the commitment, highlighting the significant financial resources required.

high-priced obligation

This phrase underscores the expensive nature of the commitment, suggesting a formal or contractual duty.

resource-intensive pledge

This alternative emphasizes the consumption of resources beyond just financial, including time and effort.

financially demanding responsibility

This phrase highlights the financial strain and the sense of duty associated with the commitment.

substantial investment

This alternative frames the commitment as an investment, emphasizing the significant resources allocated.

onerous duty

This phrase emphasizes the burdensome nature of the commitment, highlighting the difficulties and sacrifices involved.

demanding endeavor

This alternative focuses on the effort and challenges associated with the commitment, regardless of the financial cost.

significant sacrifice

This phrase highlights the personal sacrifices required by the commitment, emphasizing dedication and hardship.

ambitious undertaking

This alternative conveys the grand scale of the commitment, implying the need of significant resources, but does not necessarily imply that the commitment must be costly.

long-term investment

This alternative underlines the long-term nature of the commitment, emphasizing the extended period over which resources will be allocated.

FAQs

How can I use "costly commitment" in a sentence?

You can use "costly commitment" to describe projects or decisions that require significant resources or sacrifices, such as "Building a new hospital is a "costly commitment" for the city government."

What are some alternatives to "costly commitment"?

Alternatives include "expensive undertaking", "high-priced obligation", or "resource-intensive pledge", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "expensive commitment" or "costly commitment"?

Both "expensive commitment" and "costly commitment" are acceptable, but "costly commitment" often implies a broader range of costs, including time and effort, not just monetary expenses. "Expensive" is primarily related to monetary costs.

What does "costly commitment" imply?

A "costly commitment" implies that significant resources—whether financial, temporal, or otherwise—are required to fulfill an obligation or project. It highlights the burden and potential sacrifices involved.