it cost

USAGE SUMMARY

"it cost" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about the price or expense of something. For example, "It cost me $50 to buy the new video game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It cost a fortune.

The Economist

It cost nothing.

The New Yorker

It cost £4.

Independent

It cost us dear.

Independent

And it cost lives.

The New Yorker

What does it cost?

The New York Times

It cost them twice.

The New York Times - Sports

And it cost £19.

Independent

It cost you nothing.

The New Yorker

It cost thirty cents.

The New Yorker

It cost me $3.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the nuance you want to convey. "It cost" implies a direct expenditure or loss. If you wish to emphasize effort or consequence, alternative phrases like "it required" or "it entailed" might be more suitable.

Common error

Avoid using "it cost" when the subject is vague or undefined. Readers should not have to guess what "it" refers to; clearly state the item, action, or situation whose cost you are discussing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it cost" primarily functions as a declarative statement indicating the price, consequence, or required resource associated with something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts to express financial, temporal, or personal costs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it cost" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating the price, effort, or consequence tied to something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use across a variety of contexts. Analysis reveals its versatility in conveying information about expense, sacrifice, or ramifications, suitable for both formal and informal communication. While widely applicable, clarity regarding the subject "it" is crucial to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "it amounted to" or "the price was" offer nuanced ways to express similar meanings. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media, signifying its widespread relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the price was

Rephrases to emphasize the price itself, rather than the action of costing.

the expense was

Highlights the expense, emphasizing the financial aspect.

it amounted to

Replaces the verb "cost" with "amounted to", focusing on the final sum or total.

it had a price of

A more descriptive way of indicating the cost of something, emphasizing the value attached to it.

it required

Substitutes "cost" with "required", shifting the emphasis to what was needed or necessary.

it entailed

Uses "entailed" instead of "cost", highlighting the consequences or implications involved.

the consequence was

Shifts focus to the result or outcome, not necessarily financial.

it set back

Replaces "cost" with "set back", indicating a financial or progress setback.

the damage was

Emphasizes negative repercussions or harm resulting from something.

it took

Substitutes "cost" with "took", focusing on the resource or effort consumed.

FAQs

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

You can use "it cost" to describe the price, effort, or consequence associated with something. For example, "It cost five dollars", "it cost us time", or "it cost him his reputation".

What are some alternatives to "it cost"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "it amounted to", "the price was", or "it required" to express similar meanings.

Is it correct to say "it costs" instead of "it cost"?

The correct tense depends on the time frame you're referring to. Use "it cost" for past events and "it costs" for present or general statements. For example, "It cost me yesterday", but "it costs more now".

What's the difference between "it cost" and "it cost me"?

"It cost" refers to the general expense or consequence, while "it cost me" specifies who bore the cost. For instance, "It cost a fortune" implies a high price in general, whereas "it cost me a fortune" specifies that I personally paid that high price.