great cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is achieved or obtained at a significant expense, whether financial, emotional, or otherwise. Example: "The project was completed, but it came at a great cost to the team's morale and well-being."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And at great cost.

The New York Times

But this privacy came at great cost.

The New York Times - Sports

Possible great cost savings and increased safety.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Victory, though, came at great cost.

The New York Times

But that benefit comes at great cost.

The Washington Post

It's come at a great cost to the United States.

The New Yorker

Instead, money often comes from unofficial sources, at great cost.

The Economist

At great cost, her family managed to complete her project.

The New York Times

The Hitachi group built 13 new sites, at great cost.

The Economist

Banking systems are being cleaned up at great cost.

The Economist

Each item had to be sourced individually at great cost.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "great cost", consider the specific type of cost involved (financial, emotional, physical, etc.) and ensure that your sentence clearly conveys this nuance to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something came at a "great cost" without specifying what was sacrificed. Be explicit about whether the cost was financial, emotional, or related to effort and resources to provide a clearer picture to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great cost" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It is typically used as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the manner in which an action is performed or a result is achieved. Ludwig AI examples confirm this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "great cost" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signifies a significant sacrifice or expenditure, whether financial, emotional, or otherwise. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, most notably in News & Media. While alternatives like "high price" or "heavy toll" exist, "great cost" often carries a broader implication of sacrifice beyond mere monetary value. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; specifying the nature of the cost enhances the impact and ensures effective communication. Understanding these nuances will enable you to use "great cost" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

high price

Focuses more directly on the monetary or quantifiable value sacrificed.

steep cost

Implies that the expenditure was unexpectedly high or difficult to bear.

heavy toll

Emphasizes the negative impact or burden resulting from the action or event.

significant sacrifice

Highlights the act of giving up something valuable to achieve a goal.

considerable expense

Similar to "high price" but can also refer to effort or resources beyond just money.

dear price

An older expression that means high price, whether monetary or otherwise.

substantial outlay

Refers specifically to a large expenditure of money or resources.

severe consequences

Focuses on the negative results or aftermath of an action.

substantial penalty

Implies that the cost is punitive and unwanted.

not without consequences

Highlights that there are results of an action, though not necessarily all negative.

FAQs

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

Use "great cost" to indicate that something was achieved or obtained with significant sacrifice or expenditure. For example, "The project was a success, but it came at a "great cost" to the team's morale".

What are some alternatives to saying "great cost"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "high price", "heavy toll", or "significant sacrifice".

Is it correct to say "at great cost" or "with great cost"?

The correct and more idiomatic phrasing is "at great cost". The preposition "at" indicates the condition or manner in which something is achieved.

What is the difference between "great cost" and "high cost"?

"Great cost" and "high cost" are often used interchangeably, but "great cost" can sometimes imply a more profound or impactful sacrifice, extending beyond just monetary value. "High cost" is more direct and commonly refers to financial expense.