does it cost that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does it cost that" is not correct and sounds awkward in written English.
It may be intended to inquire about the price of something, but it lacks clarity and specificity. Example: "I was wondering, does it cost that much to repair the car?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Does it cost that much to go on holiday?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Wait, that's the projector?" "And how much does it cost?" At that point they're a little afraid — these things aren't cheap yet, usually above $300.

TechCrunch

"No one ever asked, 'What does it cost to have that song?' " he said.

The New York Times

And how much does it cost to maintain that subscriber?

Forbes

"'What does it cost me a month?' - that is the borrower's basic question," he said.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, one question will haunt me more: How much does it cost to provide that education to this one young man, and what benefits does this generate?

The New York Times

"Does it cost more money to do that?

The New York Times - Tech

"I remember Ann Curry on the 'Today' show saying, 'That must be expensive, how much did it cost?' implying that it was a great deal," she said.

The New York Times

Does it really cost that much to make a record these days?

The New Yorker

You can do it with the family, it doesn't cost that much to do.

The Guardian - Sport

It doesn't cost that much, and it's reaching a lot of people".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and better grammar, rephrase the question to be more direct, such as "Is that the price?" or "Does it really cost that much?"

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "does it cost that" in formal writing. It can sound ambiguous. Instead, specify what "it" refers to and use more precise language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as an interrogative, attempting to inquire about the price or cost of something. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrasing is awkward and lacks clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "does it cost that" is an attempt to inquire about a price, but is considered grammatically incorrect and awkward. Ludwig AI indicates it lacks clarity. While examples can be found in informal contexts like News & Media, it is advisable to use clearer alternatives such as "Is that the price?" or "Does it really cost that much?" for better communication in both formal and informal settings. Overall, the phrase's infrequency and grammatical issues make it a less desirable choice in most writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is that the price

Simplifies the inquiry to a direct question about the price.

is that the total cost

Seeks confirmation of the final cost.

is that how much it costs

Rephrases the question to focus on clarifying the stated price.

does it really cost that much

Adds emphasis on disbelief or surprise regarding the cost.

is the cost really that high

Focuses on the highness of the cost with a slightly more formal tone.

does it amount to that much

Uses "amount to" to inquire about the total cost.

does it add up to that much

Similar to "amount to", but with a focus on the accumulation of costs.

is that what I'm paying

Frames the question from the perspective of the payer.

does that reflect the actual cost

Questions whether the stated price truly represents the cost.

is that the going rate

Asks whether the price is standard or typical.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "does it cost that" to sound more natural?

You can use alternatives like "Is that the price?", "Does it really cost "that much"?", or "Is that what it "adds up to"?" depending on the context.

Is "does it cost that" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "does it cost that" is considered awkward and grammatically weak. It's better to use more precise phrasing.

What's a more formal way to ask about a price than "does it cost that"?

In a formal context, you might ask "Is that the total cost?" or "Does that "reflect the actual cost"?"

When is it acceptable to use "does it cost that"?

You might use "does it cost that" in very informal conversation where clarity isn't critical, but it's generally best to avoid it in writing and professional settings.