costs me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "costs me" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the expense or sacrifice associated with something, typically in a personal context. Example: "This new hobby costs me a lot of time and money, but I enjoy it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This, again, costs me nothing.

The New Yorker

This restraint costs me nothing.

The New Yorker

It costs me nothing".

The Guardian

Nevertheless, candor sometimes costs me a patient.

The New York Times - Magazine

It costs me 50 cents.

The Guardian

Everything I sign costs me money.

The New Yorker

U.S. Playboy costs me about $12".

The New York Times

It costs me six hundred and fifty dollars a month.

The New Yorker

"If it costs me politically," Mr. Bush said, "it costs me politically".

The New York Times

"I don't care how much it costs me".

The New York Times

"I don't care how much this costs me," he says.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "costs me" to directly express what something extracts from you, whether it's money, time, or emotional energy. This phrase is most effective when you want to emphasize the personal impact of the cost.

Common error

While "costs me" is perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation and informal writing, overuse in formal or business contexts can make your writing sound too personal or subjective. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "entails," "requires," or "incur" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "costs me" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating that something entails an expense, sacrifice, or loss for the speaker. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in contexts ranging from financial burdens to emotional or personal sacrifices.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "costs me" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase that expresses the speaker's personal expense or sacrifice related to something. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and widely applicable, it is most frequently found in News & Media, science, and business contexts, indicating its broad relevance. While generally neutral in tone, consider more formal alternatives in professional or scientific writing to maintain the appropriate register. When used, this phrase effectively highlights the personal impact of a cost, whether financial, emotional, or temporal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it sets me back

Replaces "costs" with "sets back", focusing on the financial impact but is less versatile and is mostly used for financial costs.

it requires me to spend

Replaces "costs" with a more explicit description of spending, focusing on the action of spending rather than the cost itself.

it demands from me

Changes "costs" to "demands", implying a requirement or sacrifice, emphasizing effort or resources given.

it takes a toll on me

Replaces "costs" with "takes a toll", focusing on the negative impact or burden of something, either financial or emotional.

it depletes my resources

Highlights the reduction of resources, whether financial, emotional, or physical, due to the cost.

i have to sacrifice

Focuses on the act of giving up something, highlighting the personal sacrifice involved, but not necessarily a monetary cost.

i must expend

Implies the use of resources, such as time or energy, suggesting effort beyond mere financial cost.

it extracts from me

Emphasizes the act of something being taken away, often implying a forceful or unwilling removal.

it will penalize me

Implies a consequence or punishment, usually associated with a specific action or inaction, and the negative outcome that follows.

i will forfeit

Suggests giving up something as a result of the cost, highlighting the loss of a possession or opportunity.

FAQs

How can I use "costs me" in a sentence?

"Costs me" can be used to describe a literal monetary expense, such as "The repair "costs me" $500". It can also describe intangible expenses like time or effort: "That decision "costs me" a lot of sleep".

What are some alternatives to saying "costs me"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "it sets me back", "it requires me to spend", or "it takes a toll on me".

Is it appropriate to use "costs me" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "costs me" might be too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using more neutral or professional alternatives like "incurs" or "requires".

What's the difference between "costs me" and "is costing me"?

"Costs me" generally refers to a recurring or established cost, while "is costing me" typically refers to a cost that is currently happening or increasing. For example, "The subscription "costs me" $20 a month" versus "This delay "is costing me" potential clients".