it cost them

USAGE SUMMARY

"it cost them" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.You can use it when you want to express that something had a financial value to a person or persons.
For example: "The project took several months to complete, and it cost them thousands of dollars."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It cost them twice.

The New York Times - Sports

Will it cost them something?

The New York Times

It cost them their lives.

The Economist

And it cost them.

The Washington Post

Yet what has it cost them?

The New York Times - Sports

All it cost them was the thrill.

The New York Times - Sports

And it cost them the game.

Independent

It cost them around $1,500.

The New York Times

What does it cost them; what do they gain?

Princeton University

And it cost them almost nothing to implement.

The New York Times

It cost them the game at Twickenham two weeks ago.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it cost them", ensure the context clearly indicates what the cost or consequence was, whether it's financial, emotional, or related to effort. Be specific to enhance clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it cost them" without explicitly stating what was lost or sacrificed. Vague references can confuse the reader and diminish the impact of your statement. Always clarify the nature of the cost.

Linguistic Context

"It cost them" functions as a clause element, specifically a verb phrase, within a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used to indicate that someone experienced a loss or incurred a cost as a result of something. The verb "cost" takes "them" as its object, indicating who bore the expense or consequence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it cost them" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that a group or individuals experienced a loss, sacrifice, or negative consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility. Analysis of various sources reveals that the phrase is prevalent in "news & media", academia, and formal business contexts. To ensure clarity, always specify the nature of the cost. Related phrases such as "they paid the price" and "they suffered a loss" can serve as alternatives. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for diverse communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they paid the price

Emphasizes the idea of suffering consequences or making a sacrifice.

they suffered a loss

Focuses on the negative outcome or detriment experienced.

they incurred a penalty

Highlights the imposition of a punishment or consequence.

it took its toll on them

Implies a gradual negative impact or strain.

it resulted in a setback for them

Specifically indicates a hindrance or delay in progress.

they bore the burden

Stresses the responsibility or hardship they had to endure.

they sacrificed something

Highlights the act of giving up something valuable.

it proved detrimental to them

Emphasizes the harmful or damaging effect.

they faced repercussions

Focuses on the consequences, often negative, that followed an action.

it had adverse consequences for them

Highlights negative results or outcomes.

FAQs

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

Use "it cost them" to indicate that someone experienced a loss or sacrifice as a result of something. For example, "Their risky investment didn't pay off; "it cost them" their savings."

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

You can use alternatives like "they paid the price", "they suffered a loss", or "they incurred a penalty", depending on the specific context of the consequence.

Is "it cost to them" grammatically correct?

No, "it cost to them" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is ""it cost them"", where "them" is the direct object of the verb "cost".

What's the difference between "it cost them" and "it benefited them"?

"It cost them" implies a negative consequence or loss, while "it benefited them" suggests a positive outcome or gain. They are antonyms in terms of impact.