it will cost about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it will cost about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when providing an estimate of the price or cost of something. Example: "For the new software, it will cost about $200 for a single license."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

At $199 it will cost about half as much.

The Economist

It will cost about $150,000, excluding surgery and training.

The New York Times - Health

The government's most expensive housing support program — it will cost about $140 billion this year — is a tax break for individuals to buy homes on the private market.

The New York Times

It will cost about $65 for a week's supply of meals.

TechCrunch

It will cost about $225 when it goes on sale and the INOX watch costs about $600.

TechCrunch

It will cost about 325 euros ($375) and supports HSDPA along with Nokia's new Maps 2.0 application.

TechCrunch

As a result, it will cost about $120 [$84 US] outside a public hospital setting.

Vice

It will cost about $50, said its creator, Tory Orzeck, of Portland, Ore.

The New York Times - Tech

It will cost about $2 million to retrofit the structure for its second life as a school.

The New York Times

It will cost about £680 per person.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

So, each time a student comes to the firing line it'll cost about 60 cents.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it will cost about", ensure that the context provides a clear indication of what 'it' refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "It will cost about $50", specify, "The repair will cost about $50."

Common error

Avoid following "it will cost about" with overly precise figures. The phrase implies an estimation, so adding exact numbers can create a contradiction. For example, prefer "It will cost about $100" to "It will cost about $100.07".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it will cost about" functions as a predictor of expenditure. It's used to estimate the price of goods, services, or projects. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it frequently appears in contexts where an exact price isn't yet known or when a range is more appropriate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

2%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it will cost about" is a common and grammatically sound way to provide an estimated expense. Predominantly found in news and media sources, as indicated by Ludwig AI, it serves to give a general idea of potential costs for budgeting and planning purposes. While adaptable across various contexts, it is most suitable for neutral or slightly informal settings. For more formal or precise communication, alternatives like "the estimated cost is" or "it is projected to cost" can be considered. The phrase's frequent use and presence in authoritative sources confirm its reliability and appropriateness in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is estimated to cost

Replaces the future tense with a more formal passive construction.

the estimated cost is

Puts emphasis on the cost itself rather than the action of costing.

it is projected to cost

Emphasizes a formal projection or forecast of expenses.

the approximate cost will be

More formal, uses 'approximate' to highlight the inexact nature of the estimation.

the price is expected to be around

Emphasizes the expectation of a price within a certain range.

it's likely to be in the region of

Indicates an estimation within a certain financial area.

budgeted at approximately

Suggests the cost is part of a formal budget.

the rough estimate is

Highlights the estimation is not precise.

it should be somewhere near

More informal, suggests a less precise estimate.

figure on spending roughly

Advises someone how much to expect to pay in a casual way.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it will cost about" for formal writing?

In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives such as "the estimated cost is", "it is projected to cost", or "the approximate cost will be". These options provide a more professional tone while still conveying an estimation.

What's a more casual way to say "it will cost about"?

For informal contexts, phrases like "it'll be somewhere near", "it should be around", or even "it's gonna be roughly" can effectively replace "it will cost about". These options offer a more relaxed tone.

How accurate is "it will cost about"?

The phrase "it will cost about" implies an approximation, suggesting the final cost may vary. For a more definitive statement, provide an exact figure or use language that indicates a fixed price.

Is there a difference between "it will cost about" and "it will take about"?

"It will cost about" refers to a monetary expense, whereas "it will take about" refers to the amount of time required for a task or activity. For example, "it will cost about $50" versus "it will take about 2 hours".