inordinate cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inordinate cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a cost that is excessive or unreasonable in relation to the value or benefit received. Example: "The project was abandoned due to the inordinate cost of materials and labor, which far exceeded the initial budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In due course though, admittedly at inordinate cost, we believe that there are greater chances than not that approval can come through.

The Guardian - Business

Readers of this journal well know of the growing diabetes epidemic, the inordinate cost of diabetes, and the current shortcomings in diabetes care.

Diabetes Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As the search dragged on, both the federal government and developers bidding on the project began to bear inordinate costs.

The Washington Post

Toby Hales, a partner in the family team at the law firm Seddons, commented: "For many years, judges in the family court have remonstrated against divorcing couples and their lawyers for the inordinate costs involved in litigation.

The Guardian

Why have we placed no value on being patient-centered in our current system, instead, choosing to accept the inordinate costs of invasive, highly aggressive organ-specific approaches removed from the patient's actual life and function in society?

Huffington Post

Pruitt has also racked up inordinate travel costs by flying first class, even on short flights within the United States (federal government travel regulations call for all government employees to fly coach in most circumstances), and making frequent stops in his home state of Oklahoma.

The New Yorker

Sign up for The beffectivenessdelivered tofyourentbox daily.

Vice

It published a white paper, Rights Brought Home: The Human Rights Bill, which would: "mean that the British people will be able to argue for their rights in the British courts – without … inordinate delay and cost.

The Guardian - Opinion

DSLRs previously cost inordinate gobs of cash that typically required the selling of organs and/or your first born.

TechCrunch

Customs formalities, for instance, add inordinate bureaucracy and costs to the 40% of goods that are shipped within the EU by sea.

The Economist

Sixth, Bingham continues, the state must provide a way of "resolving, without prohibitive cost or inordinate delay, bona fide civil disputes which the parties themselves are unable to resolve".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inordinate cost", ensure the context clearly establishes what the cost is disproportionate to. For example, compare the cost to the expected benefit or to similar projects' costs.

Common error

Avoid using "inordinate cost" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "too expensive" or "overpriced" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inordinate cost" functions as a noun phrase where "inordinate" modifies the noun "cost". It describes a cost that is excessively high or disproportionate. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inordinate cost" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an expense that is excessively high or unreasonable. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, though its frequency is relatively rare. The phrase is best suited for formal and neutral contexts, such as news reporting, business documents, or academic papers, and less appropriate for casual conversation. Alternatives like "excessive cost" or "prohibitive cost" can be considered depending on the specific nuance. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates what makes the cost disproportionate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive cost

Emphasizes that the cost goes beyond what is considered normal or acceptable.

prohibitive cost

Highlights that the cost is so high it prevents something from being done.

exorbitant cost

Stresses that the cost is unreasonably high and often exploitative.

unreasonable expense

Focuses on the lack of justification for the high cost.

undue expense

Indicates the expense is more than what is appropriate or necessary.

outrageous price

Implies the price is shocking and unacceptable.

astronomical price

Uses a metaphor to convey the extreme height of the price.

crippling cost

Suggests the cost has a severely damaging effect.

inflated cost

Points out that the cost has been artificially increased.

unjustifiable expense

Highlights the lack of a valid reason for the expense.

FAQs

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

You can use "inordinate cost" to describe something that is excessively expensive. For example, "The project was canceled due to the "inordinate cost" of materials".

What are some alternatives to "inordinate cost"?

Alternatives include "excessive cost", "prohibitive cost", or "exorbitant cost", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "inordinate cost" formal or informal?

"Inordinate cost" leans towards the formal side. In more casual settings, simpler phrases like "too expensive" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "inordinate cost" and "excessive cost"?

While similar, "inordinate cost" suggests a greater degree of excess and imbalance than "excessive cost". "Inordinate" implies the cost is out of proportion to what's reasonable or expected.