it cost me

USAGE SUMMARY

"it cost me" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express the amount of money or effort that someone spent on something. Here is an example: "It cost me $50 to repair my car's tire." In this sentence, the speaker is indicating that they had to pay $50 in order to fix their car's tire. Another example could be: "It cost me a lot of time and energy to complete that project." In this sentence, the speaker is expressing that the project required a significant amount of effort on their part.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It cost me $3.

The New York Times

It cost me a fortune".

Independent

It cost me about 50p.

Independent

It cost me a marriage.

The New York Times

It cost me around $500.

The New York Times

It cost me £25.

The Guardian

It cost me £15.

The Guardian - Business

It cost me about $200.

The Washington Post

It cost me my business.

The Guardian - Opinion

Did it cost me something?

The New York Times

It cost me about £100.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it cost me", be specific about what was lost (time, money, relationships) to provide clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "it cost me" without quantifying the cost. Saying "it cost me a lot" is less effective than saying "it cost me $500" or "it cost me three months of work".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it cost me" functions as a declarative statement expressing the consequence or price paid by the speaker. This can refer to monetary costs, emotional costs, or sacrifices made. Ludwig AI indicates this is a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

HuffPost

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it cost me" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate a loss, sacrifice, or consequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and applicable in numerous contexts, ranging from monetary expenditures to emotional burdens. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, with less frequent usages in Academic sources. When using "it cost me", it's important to be specific about the nature and extent of the cost to ensure clarity and impact. Common alternatives include "I had to pay" or "I sacrificed", each carrying slightly different connotations. The analysis of real world examples from Ludwig confirms the phrase is useful in many contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I had to pay

Focuses on the payment aspect, removing the implication of sacrifice.

I spent

Simply indicates the use of resources, without necessarily implying a loss or sacrifice.

I sacrificed

Emphasizes the act of giving something up, rather than the monetary or tangible loss.

I was charged

Focuses solely on the monetary aspect of the transaction.

I expended

Highlights the use of resources or effort.

It took a toll on me

Emphasizes the impact or burden on the speaker.

It required me to

Shifts the focus to the requirement or obligation.

I incurred

Highlights the responsibility or liability for something.

I lost

Highlights the negative consequence or deprivation.

I bore the expense

Focuses on the financial responsibility assumed by the speaker.

FAQs

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

Use "it cost me" to express a loss or sacrifice you've made. For example, "It cost me my job" or "It cost me a fortune".

What can I say instead of "it cost me"?

You can use alternatives like "I had to pay", "I sacrificed", or "I spent" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it cost me" or "it costs me"?

"It cost me" is used for past events, while "it costs me" is for present or recurring expenses. For example, "It cost me 100 dollars yesterday" versus "It costs me 100 dollars a month".

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

"It cost me" implies a loss or expense, while "it took me" refers to the time or effort required. For example, "It cost me money" versus "It took me hours".