it only costs

USAGE SUMMARY

"it only costs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the cost of something. For example, "It only costs $10 to get in to the movie theater."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It only costs a pound.

The Guardian - Sport

And it only costs £14 to see it.

The Guardian - Arts

And it only costs them a buck fifty".

The New York Times

For Pedal Pushers Rent some exercise; it only costs pennies.

The New York Times

It only costs £19.99 a month and means we can provide better information to customers".

The Guardian

If you return it that same day, it only costs 60 bucks".

The Guardian - Music

The quad-core Acer Z5610, for example, has a lower spec, but it only costs £836.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It only cost a penny.

The New Yorker

But best of all, it only cost me about £2.50!

The Guardian - Travel

It was so cute and tiny, so stylish, and it only cost $15,000.

The New York Times - Travel

It only cost a few quid, but I didn't buy it.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing affordability, follow "it only costs" with the specific price to make a clear and impactful statement. For instance, "it only costs $5" is more effective than just saying "it's cheap".

Common error

Avoid using "it only costs" when comparing prices without mentioning what it is being compared to. For example, instead of saying "it only costs a little", specify "it only costs half as much as the competitor's product".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it only costs" functions as a declarative statement indicating the price of a product or service. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically correct construction frequently used to convey affordability or value.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it only costs" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to highlight affordability, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions primarily to inform and persuade, appearing most frequently in news and media contexts. Understanding its usage helps in crafting clear and compelling messaging around pricing and value. Whether you're writing a news article, a business proposal, or a casual recommendation, knowing when and how to use this phrase can significantly enhance your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's quite affordable

This alternative highlights the affordability of something directly.

it's relatively inexpensive

This phrase suggests that the cost is low compared to other similar items or services.

it's a bargain

This indicates that something is being sold at a price lower than its actual value.

it's offered at a low price

This emphasizes the price point as being significantly lower than expected.

it doesn't break the bank

This idiom means that something is affordable and won't cause financial strain.

it's economically priced

This alternative suggests that the pricing has been done strategically to make it accessible.

it comes at a modest cost

This highlights the simplicity and reasonableness of the price.

it represents good value for money

This implies that the item or service is worth more than what you are paying.

it's a steal

This phrase suggests that something is being sold at an unexpectedly low price.

it is budget-friendly

This alternative emphasizes that the product or service aligns well with limited budgets.

FAQs

How can I use "it only costs" in a sentence?

Use "it only costs" to emphasize the low price of something. For example, "it only costs $10 to get the basic subscription".

What can I say instead of "it only costs"?

You can use alternatives like "it's quite affordable", "it's relatively inexpensive", or "it doesn't break the bank" to express similar ideas.

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

The correct tense depends on the context. Use "it only cost" for past events and "it only costs" for present or general statements.

What's the difference between "it only costs" and "it simply costs"?

"It only costs" emphasizes the low price, while "it simply costs" implies that the price is straightforward or all that's needed to acquire something. The focus shifts from affordability to ease of acquisition.