excessive cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessive cost" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a high or unreasonable amount of money that is required or spent on something. Example: The company's decision to use premium materials for their products has resulted in excessive costs, causing a decline in profits.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Excessive cost.

The Guardian - Opinion

The FOI request was refused on grounds of privacy and excessive cost.

The Guardian

Other countries can learn from us that it is possible to make a significant improvement in homelessness without excessive cost or a massive public backlash and that the results are beneficial.

The Guardian

Ever since London won the right to host the Olympics in 2012, the word legacy has been deployed to justify excessive cost or corporate gerrymandering of the best seats.

The Guardian - Opinion

In fact, the White House Office of Management and Budget declared in Mr. Bush's management agenda for fiscal 2002 that government programs too often deliver inadequate services at excessive cost.

The New York Times

But then trying to find an example of a national broadband strategy that hasn't gone without a hitch either in terms of delays or excessive cost is near impossible.

The Guardian - Tech

"Congress' passage of this $700 million bridge bill doesn't diminish its excessive cost, size, negative effect on Highway 36 traffic congestion, or its adverse impact on the St .Croix River," Ms. McCollum said.

The New York Times

The administration said payments should be linked to performance, so that Medicare would increase payments to doctors who provide high-quality, efficient care, while reducing payments to those who provide low-quality care "at excessive cost".

The New York Times

The business suffers from complexity and an excessive cost base, but we now have a clear and deliverable plan to turn it around and transform financial performance," Mr Brikho said.

The Guardian - Business

Other Western nuclear power experts are worried about the possible effects of corruption and excessive cost cutting of the sort already seen in scandals involving the safety of Chinese exports ranging from toys to pharmaceuticals.

The New York Times

For example, in 2009, Congress required that the Defense Department's weapons acquisition programs now reflect the basic elements of a knowledge-based acquisition approach and that programs with excessive cost growth be terminated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excessive cost", ensure the context clearly establishes what the cost is being compared to. For instance, specify whether it's excessive compared to a budget, industry standard, or perceived value.

Common error

Avoid using "excessive cost" without providing context or a reference point. Without context, the reader might not understand why the cost is considered excessive. For example, instead of saying "The project faced excessive costs", specify "The project faced excessive costs compared to the initial budget estimates".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive cost" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "excessive" modifies the noun "cost". As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it describes a cost that is unreasonably high or beyond what is considered acceptable. It is commonly used to identify and highlight expenses that are considered too high relative to a certain benchmark.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "excessive cost" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe costs that are unreasonably high. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, from news reports and scientific articles to business discussions. It often implies a need for cost reduction or questions the justification for high expenses. While alternatives like "exorbitant price" or "prohibitive expense" exist, "excessive cost" is a versatile choice that effectively conveys the idea of costs exceeding reasonable limits. It's essential to provide context when using this phrase to clarify the benchmark against which the cost is being compared.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Exorbitant price

Emphasizes the price is much higher than it should be.

Prohibitive expense

Highlights the cost prevents someone from being able to afford it.

Unreasonable charge

Focuses on the unfairness or lack of justification for the cost.

Inflated price

Suggests the price has been artificially increased.

Sky-high costs

Uses figurative language to emphasize the extreme height of the costs.

Overpriced

A simple, direct term meaning the price is too high.

Extortionate cost

Emphasizes the cost is unfairly high, akin to extortion.

High expenditure

A more formal way to describe a large amount of money spent.

Steep price

Uses an adjective that suggests the price is difficult to overcome.

Unjustifiable expense

Indicates the cost cannot be defended or explained.

FAQs

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

You can use "excessive cost" to describe situations where expenses are unreasonably high. For example, "The "excessive cost" of the new software made it impossible to implement this year".

What are some alternatives to saying "excessive cost"?

You can use alternatives like "exorbitant price", "prohibitive expense", or "unreasonable charge" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Excessive cost" implies that the cost is not just high but also beyond what is reasonable or acceptable. "High cost" simply indicates a large expense without the implication of being unreasonable.

What contributes to an "excessive cost" in business?

Factors contributing to an ""excessive cost"" can include inefficient processes, overspending on resources, lack of proper budgeting, and unforeseen circumstances that increase expenses beyond reasonable expectations.