costly venture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "costly venture" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an undertaking or project that requires a significant financial investment or has the potential for high expenses. Example: "Starting a new business can be a costly venture, requiring careful financial planning and resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Photovoltaic system installation is a costly venture.

Energy Procedia

Mr. Arnault also shut a costly venture into personal Internet investing, Europ@Web.

The New York Times

The Body Shop's costly venture into American retailing began auspiciously in the early 1990's, with sales and profits soaring.

The New York Times

Still, it was a costly venture for the company, not just financially, but in the strain on singers, choristers, orchestra players and the crew.

The New York Times

A year later, the country's new leader slammed the deal as a corrupt, costly venture that would burden the country with too much debt.

The New York Times

As Iran attempts to expand its influence across the tumultuous region, an enormously costly venture in both treasure and blood, nearly 30 million low-income Iranians face cuts in state subsidies in the coming months and years.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Just like last time, some of the costly ventures could turn out to be poor investments.

The New York Times

All too often, fragmented projects – often of a prestige kind – have resulted in unsustainable and costly ventures.

The Guardian

But it does reinforce the picture of a species that, for the most part, doesn't undertake dramatic, sustained and costly ventures without a near-term, practical imperative at the root.

The New York Times

There was little popular enthusiasm for costly ventures in foreign policy or expensive social reforms; the major exception the conquest of colonial empire had to be accomplished somewhat secretively and with limited resources.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Because the government has capped the total amount it can spend on subsidies, that would probably mean cutting the number of projects it pays for.A second worry is that these more bloated subsidies will discourage EU state-aid watchdogs from approving costly ventures such as the proposed nuclear power station at Hinkley Point.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a "costly venture", quantify the costs involved whenever possible. Adding specific figures or estimates provides context and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid solely focusing on the cost without acknowledging potential benefits or returns. Acknowledge that a "costly venture" might still be worthwhile if it promises significant long-term gains or strategic advantages.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "costly venture" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "costly" modifies the noun "venture". It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, describing an undertaking that involves significant expense. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "costly venture" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe undertakings that require significant financial resources. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While generally neutral in register, quantifying the costs involved and acknowledging potential benefits are best practices to enhance clarity and avoid overemphasis on the financial burden. Alternatives like "expensive undertaking" or "high-cost project" can be used to add variety, but "costly venture" remains a reliable and widely understood option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expensive undertaking

Replaces "venture" with "undertaking", emphasizing the action or project being expensive.

high-cost project

Substitutes both words to highlight the financial investment, using "project" for a planned endeavor.

expensive enterprise

Replaces "venture" with "enterprise", suggesting a more formal or business-oriented undertaking.

financially draining endeavor

Emphasizes the financial burden aspect of the venture.

resource-intensive initiative

Focuses on the consumption of resources rather than just financial costs.

capital-intensive pursuit

Highlights the amount of capital required for the venture.

big-ticket investment

More informal, focusing on the large monetary amount invested.

high-stakes gamble

Emphasizes the risk and uncertainty associated with the venture, alongside the potential cost.

major financial commitment

Highlights the commitment of funds required.

pricey proposition

Informal, suggesting the venture is something being offered or considered that is expensive.

FAQs

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

You can use "costly venture" to describe a project or undertaking that requires significant financial investment. For example: "Building a new subway system is a "costly venture" for any city."

What are some alternatives to "costly venture"?

Alternatives to "costly venture" include "expensive undertaking", "high-cost project", or "financially draining endeavor" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "costly venture" formal or informal?

"Costly venture" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "capital-intensive pursuit" may be more appropriate for academic or business writing.

What makes a venture "costly"?

A venture is considered "costly" when it requires a significant financial investment, involves high operational expenses, or carries a substantial risk of financial loss. It's not just about the initial price tag, but also the potential for ongoing expenditure and the lack of guarantee for return on investment.