costs

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "costs" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun used to describe the expenses associated with something, usually a purchase or service. For example, "The costs of the project far exceeded the initial estimates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

FIFA did not incur any costs as a result of South Africa's request because the funds belonged to the LOC.

The Guardian - Sport

Cameron will also set out plans to restrict foreigners from access to social housing if they have not been resident in the UK for five years, plans widely trailed over the weekend, as well as making it easier for the NHS to claim back the costs of treating people from overseas.

The Guardian

In the case of ordinary consumers, "switching costs" have a major effect.

The Economist

In retail banking, they haven't capitalized on the benefits of size (like lower borrowing costs) to cut prices for their customers, the way big retailers like Wal-Mart do.

The Economist

These costs aren't trivial: a 2001 study showed that the cost of switching a loan came to about a third of the loan's annual interest rate.

The Economist

A generation ago, Warren says, basics (housing costs, health insurance, transportation, education, and taxes) accounted for fifty-four per cent of the average family's income.

The Economist

Fortunately, the Bloomberg Foundation agreed to cover the costs of defending Uruguay.

The Guardian

Sheila Scott, chief executive of the National Care Association, which represents many smaller care home providers, said care costs could in many instances be approaching two-thirds of total fees because of the growing dependency of people entering residential care.

The Guardian

Unlike some of its rivals it avoided major costs for litigation and legal expenses.

The Guardian - Business

The "hollowing out" of the library service is catastrophic at a time when illiteracy costs the country £81bn a year and one child in three does not own a single book.

The Guardian - Books

It calls on the new government to fully fund council tax support, acknowledging that the scheme costs the councils millions of pounds and has increased the cost of living for some of the poorest.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "costs", be specific about what is included in the figure, such as labor, materials, or overhead.

Common error

Remember that "costs" is the plural form of "cost". Use "costs" when referring to multiple expenses or the total amount spent. Use "cost" when referring to the expense of a single item or event.

Linguistic Context

The word "costs" functions primarily as a plural noun, denoting the total expenses or expenditures incurred. It can also function as a verb as third person singular of cost, which Ludwig AI correctly identifies. The Ludwig examples demonstrate the word's utility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Travel

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "costs" is a common and versatile term, predominantly used as a plural noun to represent expenses. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and usable in written English, which Ludwig's examples confirm across numerous contexts, especially in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. Remember to use "costs" when referring to multiple expenses and consider using synonyms like "expenses" or "expenditures" for variety. Be mindful not to confuse it with the singular form "cost". Understanding its communicative function helps to clearly convey financial information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expenses

Replaces "costs" with a direct synonym referring to the money spent on something.

expenditures

Similar to "expenses", but often used in more formal or official contexts.

outlays

A more formal term for expenses, suggesting a deliberate spending of money.

financial burdens

Focuses on the negative impact of costs as something that weighs heavily.

price tags

Emphasizes the cost associated with specific items or services.

fees

Specifically refers to payments for services, licenses, or memberships.

charges

Similar to "fees", indicating amounts that must be paid.

tariffs

Costs associated with imported goods or services.

premiums

Payments for insurance policies or similar protective measures.

dues

Periodic payments, typically for membership in an organization.

FAQs

How to use "costs" in a sentence?

You can use "costs" to refer to the total expenses incurred for a project, service, or product. For example, "The project's "total costs" exceeded our budget."

What can I say instead of "costs"?

You can use alternatives like "expenses", "expenditures", or "financial burdens" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "costs" or "cost"?

"Costs" is the plural form, used when referring to multiple expenses. "Cost" is singular, used for a single expense. For example, "The "cost of living" is high, and healthcare "healthcare costs" are rising."

What's the difference between "costs" and "prices"?

"Costs" refer to the expenses incurred by a producer or provider, while "prices" are what consumers pay. For instance, a company calculates its "costs" to determine the "selling prices" of its products.