enormous cost

USAGE SUMMARY

'enormous cost' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the great magnitude of money, effort, or time that is needed for something. Example: The project required an enormous cost of time and resources to implement.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But that comes at an enormous cost.

The New York Times - Health

And that has an enormous cost.

The Guardian

Change Afghanistan at enormous cost and you've changed Afghanistan — period.

The New York Times

One reason for the opposition is the project's enormous cost.

The Economist

The victory was won at enormous cost for France.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The old approach worked only at enormous cost.

The Economist

So Stalin, at an enormous cost in lives, liberated Berlin.

The New York Times - Books

But the Osprey presents formidable engineering challenges at enormous cost.

The New York Times

Now we import coal, gas and electricity at enormous cost.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Calderón's push against traffickers has had an enormous cost.

The New York Times

There are enormous cost pressures in the system.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternatives like "prohibitive cost" or "astronomical cost" to add nuance depending on whether you want to emphasize the cost as a barrier or its impractical scale.

Common error

While "enormous cost" is widely applicable, avoid using it in overly informal settings where simpler terms like "expensive" or "costly" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enormous cost" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It identifies and emphasizes the magnitude of expenses, losses, or sacrifices. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

16%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "enormous cost" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe significant expenses or sacrifices. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for written English. Its high frequency in news, academic, and encyclopedia sources indicates its broad applicability in both neutral and formal contexts. When using this phrase, consider its impact and whether alternative phrases like "prohibitive cost" or "substantial expense" might be more appropriate depending on the specific context. The phrase effectively conveys a sense of considerable expenditure or consequence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

astronomical cost

Emphasizes the extremely large and often impractical nature of the cost.

prohibitive cost

Highlights the cost as a barrier, making something unattainable.

steep price

Emphasizes the high cost or sacrifice required.

exorbitant price

Focuses on the price being unreasonably high.

massive expenditure

Stresses the large amount of money being spent.

significant expense

Indicates an expense of considerable size or impact.

substantial expense

Indicates a considerable financial outlay.

significant outlay

Focuses on the amount of money that needs to be invested or spent.

heavy toll

Implies a significant negative impact or burden beyond just monetary value.

considerable investment

Highlights the significant amount of resources committed, usually with an expectation of future return.

FAQs

How can I use "enormous cost" in a sentence?

You can use "enormous cost" to describe projects, decisions, or actions that require substantial resources. For example: "The project came at an enormous cost to the environment."

What are some alternatives to "enormous cost"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "prohibitive cost", "astronomical cost", or "substantial expense".

Is it better to say "high cost" or "enormous cost"?

"Enormous cost" emphasizes a significantly higher expense than "high cost". Choose "enormous cost" when you want to highlight the magnitude of the expenditure.

What is the difference between "enormous cost" and "heavy toll"?

"Enormous cost" typically refers to financial expenses, while "heavy toll" implies a broader negative impact, including non-monetary consequences like environmental damage or loss of life.