hefty cost

USAGE SUMMARY

'hefty cost' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a high or significant monetary cost. For example, "The car repairs came with a hefty cost of $3,000."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Investors also bemoan the hefty cost of litigating jurisdictional issues.

The Economist

More important, retailers are facing hefty cost pressures in their own purchases.

The Economist

Our management knew that we'd start out paying a pretty hefty cost premium.

The Guardian

In fact, that is exactly what is happening, and at a hefty cost to the developer.

The New York Times

The airline said hefty cost cutting measures had helped improve performance in the three months to December 31.

Independent

The 'Bag Boy Karlito' had 600 customers on its waiting list despite its hefty cost of $1,685 (approx. £985).

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Nomura has incurred hefty costs from incorporating the business.

The Economist

There are also hefty costs that aren't included in that number.

The New Yorker

Many movie owners simply abandon the negative rather than pay hefty costs.

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Geithner and other regulators argued that it was counterproductive to assign hefty costs at a time when the industry needed saving.

The New York Times

There will also be hefty costs for the failed attempt to buy 632 branches from Lloyds Banking Group, which led to the departure of chief executive Barry Tootell.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hefty cost" when you want to emphasize that something is more expensive than expected or that the price is a significant factor.

Common error

Don't assume a "hefty cost" always equates to high value. While it implies significant expense, it doesn't guarantee quality or worth. Always evaluate the benefits against the price.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hefty cost" functions as a noun phrase, where "hefty" modifies the noun "cost". It describes the magnitude of an expense, indicating it is substantial. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hefty cost" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a substantial expense. According to Ludwig, its function is to emphasize the significant financial burden associated with something. Predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various communication contexts. The phrase doesn't inherently imply value, so it's crucial to consider benefits independently. While alternatives like "significant expense" exist, "hefty cost" effectively conveys the magnitude of the expense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Significant expense

Replaces 'cost' with a more general term for expenditure.

Steep price

Replaces 'hefty' with 'steep', indicating a high and possibly unfair cost.

Considerable price

Swaps 'hefty' for 'considerable' maintaining the sense of a large amount.

Exorbitant fee

Implies the cost is excessively high or unreasonable.

Substantial charge

Uses 'charge' instead of 'cost', emphasizing the financial obligation.

Premium price

Suggests the high cost is for a superior product or service.

Large expenditure

Replaces both words with synonyms, focusing on spending.

High outlay

Uses 'outlay' to highlight the initial investment required.

Sizeable investment

Focuses on the cost as an investment, potentially with future returns.

Big ticket

An informal term for something expensive.

FAQs

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

You can use "hefty cost" to describe something that has a high price. For example, "The repairs to the building came at a "hefty cost"."

What is a good alternative to using "hefty cost"?

Alternatives to "hefty cost" include "significant expense", "considerable price", or "substantial charge", depending on the context.

Does "hefty cost" imply that something is worth the price?

No, "hefty cost" simply indicates a high price. It doesn't automatically mean the item or service is worth the expense. Consider the value independently.

Is it appropriate to use "hefty cost" in formal writing?

Yes, "hefty cost" is appropriate for most writing contexts, including formal writing. It is commonly used in news and business reporting. While it is suitable, alternatives like "significant expense" could be more appropriate depending on the context.