heavy costs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heavy costs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe significant expenses or sacrifices associated with a particular action or decision. Example: "The company faced heavy costs due to the unexpected market downturn, impacting its overall profitability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They impose heavy costs on consumers.

The Economist

In practice, however, reacting emotionally has heavy costs.

The New York Times

However, we pay heavy costs for our social privacy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Demographic pressures threaten to burden the next generation with heavy costs.

The Economist

"Those are heavy costs and the payback period is really long," Mr. McVey said.

The New York Times

The prospect of maintaining forces at about the current level implies continuing heavy costs.

The New York Times

But the lengthy incursion has not stopped terrorism, and it has had heavy costs.

The New York Times

They need to remind their politicians of the heavy costs of living continuously under sanctions.

The Guardian

Consumer groups warned that homeowners should not have to shoulder heavy costs for the new meters.

The Guardian

In the short term, we knew we would incur heavy costs.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This heavy cost is entirely unnecessary.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial implications or consequences, use "heavy costs" to clearly communicate a substantial burden or expense associated with a decision or action.

Common error

Avoid substituting "heavy costs" with overly generic terms like "expenses" or "costs" without emphasizing the significant impact or burden they represent. The word "heavy" adds crucial emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heavy costs" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "heavy" modifies the noun "costs". It describes expenses that are considerable and burdensome. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's frequently used to denote significant financial implications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "heavy costs" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe significant expenses or sacrifices. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in a variety of contexts, ranging from news reports to academic discussions. While alternatives like "significant expenses" or "substantial expenditures" exist, "heavy costs" emphasizes the burdensome nature of these expenses. When writing, it's crucial to use "heavy costs" when you want to highlight the substantial impact of the expenses, differentiating it from simpler terms like "costs" or "expenses". The phrase is best suited for professional and neutral registers, making it appropriate for formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant expenses

Emphasizes the substantial nature of the expenditures.

substantial expenditures

Highlights the considerable amount of money being spent.

considerable expenses

Focuses on the noteworthiness of the costs.

high expenditures

Highlights costs that are above average.

major outlays

Emphasizes the significant financial investment required.

steep price

Focuses on the high monetary value that must be paid.

great burden

Shifts the focus to the weight or difficulty imposed by the costs.

onerous expenses

Highlights the burdensome or oppressive nature of the costs.

prohibitive costs

Indicates that the costs are so high as to prevent something from being done.

crippling costs

Suggests that the costs are so high they can cause serious damage or failure.

FAQs

How can I use "heavy costs" in a sentence?

You can use "heavy costs" to describe significant financial burdens or sacrifices. For example: "The project incurred "heavy costs" due to unexpected delays."

What are some alternatives to "heavy costs"?

Alternatives include "significant expenses", "substantial expenditures", or "considerable expenses", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "high costs" or "heavy costs"?

While both phrases indicate substantial expenses, "heavy costs" often implies a more burdensome or negative impact than "high costs". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of impact you wish to emphasize.

What's the difference between "heavy costs" and "hidden costs"?

"Heavy costs" refers to the magnitude or impact of expenses, while "hidden costs" refers to expenses that are not initially apparent or disclosed. They address different aspects of cost analysis.