could be costly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be costly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing potential expenses or financial implications of a decision or action. Example: "Choosing not to invest in quality materials could be costly in the long run."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This delay could be costly.

The New York Times

A pending settlement could be costly.

The New York Times - Tech

That display of petulance could be costly.

The New York Times - Sports

But yesterday's victory could be costly.

The New York Times

But the rejiggering could be costly.

The New York Times

Could be costly, those missed points.

The Guardian - Sport

But such reluctance could be costly.

The New York Times

But implementing them could be costly.

The Guardian

Installing scrubbers could be costly for Xcel.

The Washington Post

Losing such an advantage, particularly to Cleveland, could be costly.

The New York Times - Sports

They know that making a mistake could be costly.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be costly", provide specific details about the potential costs involved to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "could be costly" as a generic warning without supporting evidence. Always provide context or examples to justify the potential cost.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be costly" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It modifies a subject by describing a potential negative attribute, typically related to financial implications or other undesirable consequences. As shown by Ludwig, it's a common construction for expressing potential downsides.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be costly" is a versatile and frequently used expression to denote the potential for high expenses or negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, notably in News & Media. While maintaining a neutral register, it serves primarily to caution about potential downsides. Alternatives such as "might prove expensive" or "may result in high expenses" can offer a more formal tone. When using "could be costly", ensure to provide sufficient context to justify the potential cost, enhancing clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might prove expensive

Focuses on the possibility of becoming expensive.

may result in high expenses

Highlights the outcome of incurring significant costs.

could incur significant charges

Emphasizes the potential for substantial charges.

may lead to financial burden

Focuses on the negative impact of a financial strain.

might create a financial strain

Highlights that could create a burden.

can become a drain on resources

Implies that it can exhaust financial resources.

may require substantial investment

Focuses on the large amount of money required.

could involve a considerable outlay

Emphasizes the significant expenditure involved.

might not be economical

Emphasizes the uncertainty of its economics.

may turn out to be uneconomical

Focuses on the outcome of being uneconomical.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "could be costly" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "might prove expensive", or "may result in high expenses" for a more sophisticated tone.

Is "could be costly" always related to monetary costs?

While often associated with financial implications, "could be costly" can also refer to non-monetary costs such as time, effort, or reputation. The context determines the specific type of cost.

What's the difference between "could be costly" and "will be costly"?

"Could be costly" suggests a possibility or potential for high costs, while "will be costly" indicates a higher degree of certainty or inevitability.

What are some synonyms for "could be costly" that emphasize the burden?

Phrases like "may lead to financial burden" or "might create a financial strain" are useful when you want to highlight the negative impact of the potential costs.