fixing costs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fixing costs" is not correct in standard English; it should be "fixed costs." You can use "fixed costs" when referring to expenses that do not change with the level of goods or services produced by a business.
Example: "The company's fixed costs include rent, salaries, and insurance, which remain constant regardless of production levels."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Industry consultants estimate that banks' fixing costs could amount to $1 for each line of computer code they have.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Fixed costs are fixed costs.

Huffington Post

Their fixed costs are high.

The Economist

Watch fixed costs.

Harvard Business Review

Secondly, they have fixed costs.

The New York Times

"We are carrying too much fixed costs.

Independent

Let's start with the fixed costs.

The New York Times

Her fixed costs are no longer fixed.

The New York Times

"Why be burdened with such high fixed costs?" he asked.

The New York Times

The fixed costs – acquiring, editing, marketing – remain unchanged.

The Guardian - Books

The retailers have high fixed costs, payroll and inventory".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing costs that do not vary with production volume, use the term "fixed costs" instead of "fixing costs". This ensures clarity and accuracy in financial and business contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "fixing costs" when you mean costs that remain constant regardless of output. "Fixed costs" is the correct term for expenses like rent or insurance premiums that do not fluctuate with production levels.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fixing costs" is an incorrect usage. The correct form, "fixed costs", functions as a noun phrase in financial and business contexts, referring to expenses that do not fluctuate with production levels. As Ludwig indicates, the proper phrase is "fixed costs".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fixing costs" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "fixed costs", which refers to expenses that remain constant regardless of changes in production or sales volume. As Ludwig's analysis points out, this term is commonly used in business and financial contexts to describe expenses such as rent, salaries, and insurance premiums. Although the intended meaning of "fixing costs" might be understood in some contexts, using the correct term, "fixed costs", ensures clarity and maintains professionalism in financial discussions. It is also important to note that the tool Ludwig AI signals the incorrectness of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

controlling costs

This alternative emphasizes the action of managing expenses, rather than the nature of the costs themselves.

containing costs

Similar to "controlling costs", this option underscores the importance of preventing expenses from increasing.

managing expenses

This alternative focuses on the broader management of financial outlays, covering both variable and fixed costs.

lessening costs

This denotes a general reduction in costs.

reducing expenditure

This alternative highlights the act of decreasing overall spending, which may involve addressing fixed costs.

trimming expenses

This alternative means reducing expenses, particularly wasteful or unnecessary ones.

cutting spending

This implies a deliberate action to decrease monetary expenses.

containing overheads

This alternative is specific to overhead costs, which are a type of fixed cost, implying a focus on keeping these costs in check.

decreasing outlay

This focuses on reducing financial expenditure.

stabilizing prices

This option centers on maintaining price levels, indirectly related to managing underlying costs, including fixed costs.

FAQs

What is the correct term, "fixing costs" or "fixed costs"?

The correct term is "fixed costs". "Fixing costs" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. Use "fixed costs" to refer to expenses that do not change with production levels.

When should I use the term "fixed costs"?

Use "fixed costs" when you are referring to expenses that remain constant regardless of a company's production or sales volume, such as rent, salaries, and insurance.

What are some examples of fixed costs in a business?

Examples of "fixed costs" include rent, salaries, insurance premiums, and property taxes. These costs remain the same whether the business produces a lot or a little.

How do fixed costs affect a company's profitability?

Fixed costs can significantly impact a company's profitability because they must be covered regardless of sales volume. High fixed costs can make it difficult for a company to be profitable if sales are low.