insignificant cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "insignificant cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an expense that is considered minor or not substantial in the context of a larger budget or financial decision. Example: "The project will require an initial investment, but the ongoing maintenance will incur an insignificant cost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The floodgates are expected to cost Mr. Gordon roughly $100,000 — "not an insignificant cost, but not breathtaking".

The New York Times

To a large extent this is due to lack of a sustained interest for further commercial development of the vaccines already undergoing the preclinical and clinical development, and a predicted insignificant cost effectiveness of mass vaccination.

Virology

News headlines and social media outrage have focused on the insignificant cost water bottlers pay to the government for the right to pump water from the ground.

Vice

"Bundling a gamepad was a fairly insignificant cost, especially in the quantities we're getting them and in working with Microsoft," Luckey said.

Los Angeles Times

Although the assay does not require sophisticated laboratory infrastructure or equipment, the required person-time of a laboratory technologist is not an insignificant cost.

Clinical Infectious Diseases

If CD9 is to be considered for clinical used in the future, that might add an additional 18 pound sterling to the patient's bill (which is an almost insignificant cost).

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Despite the increase in plant complexity, the fixed capital investment estimation proves an insignificant costs increase of the stripping gas configuration over the benchmark.

Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering

Every one of them feels the not-insignificant cost is well worth it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A few obscure cosmetic operations increased in 2009, despite their not-insignificant cost.

The New York Times

Yet it's clearly fairly time-consuming to create each new stories using the platform, with not-insignificant costs.

The Guardian - Tech

Because of insignificant marginal cost of hydroelectric power, the problem of minimizing the operational cost of hydrothermal system essentially reduces to that of minimizing the fuel cost of thermal plants under the various constraints on the hydraulic, thermal and power system network.

Protection and Control of Modern Power Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "insignificant cost", ensure the context clearly establishes the larger expense or benefit against which the cost is being compared. This provides a frame of reference for understanding the insignificance.

Common error

Avoid using "insignificant cost" when the cost is actually substantial for the party bearing it, even if it seems small in a broader context. Accurately assess the financial impact on the specific entity involved to prevent misrepresentation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insignificant cost" functions as a modifier-noun construction. The adjective "insignificant" modifies the noun "cost", indicating that the cost is of little importance or consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate use in describing minor expenses.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "insignificant cost" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes an expense considered minor relative to a larger financial context. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is frequently encountered in both scientific and journalistic sources, indicating a broad applicability across diverse registers. Related phrases include "negligible expense" and "minimal expense", which serve as alternatives depending on the specific nuance desired. When employing this phrase, ensure it is used accurately, reflecting the true financial impact for the entity involved to avoid misleading stakeholders. While "insignificant cost" can be helpful in discussions of budget planning or resource allocation, it is important to be mindful of its accurate application and avoid overstating a cost's unimportance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negligible expense

Focuses on the fact that the expense is so small it can be ignored.

minimal expense

Highlights that the cost is at its lowest possible level.

trivial expenditure

Emphasizes the unimportance or lack of seriousness of the spending.

minor outlay

Suggests a small amount of money being spent.

small price

Indicates that the cost is low in relation to the benefit or value received.

modest charge

Implies the cost is reasonable and not excessive.

nominal fee

Refers to a fee that is very small or symbolic.

inconsequential expense

Underlines the fact that expense has little or no importance.

unsubstantial cost

Indicates that the cost is not significant in amount or degree.

reduced cost

Shows that the cost has been lowered from what it normally is.

FAQs

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

You can use "insignificant cost" to describe an expense that is small relative to a larger budget or benefit. For example: "The upgrade required an initial investment, but the long-term maintenance represented an "insignificant cost".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "insignificant cost"?

Alternatives include "negligible expense", "minimal expense", or "trivial expenditure", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "insignificant cost" or "low cost"?

While both terms relate to cost, "low cost" simply means the price is not high. "Insignificant cost" implies that the cost is so small that it's almost not worth considering in the overall financial picture, adding a sense of relative unimportance.

When is it inappropriate to use the term "insignificant cost"?

It's inappropriate if the cost, while small to some, represents a substantial burden to the individual or entity paying it. The term should be used when the expense truly has a minimal impact on the overall budget or financial situation.