keep costs down

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep costs down" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to control or maintain low expenses. Example: "One of our main goals for this project is to keep costs down, so we need to find affordable materials and negotiate the best deals with our suppliers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To keep costs down," he said.

Independent

To keep costs down, we decided against custom-built cabinets.

The New York Times

The public pressure to keep costs down was considerable.

The New York Times - Magazine

So to keep costs down, he has been making his own meals and driving less.

The New York Times

Make a swift decision on expanding airport capacity in London; Back HS2 but "keep costs down".

The Guardian

Airlines prefer competition, to keep costs down, but there are some advantages to doing without it.

The Economist

To keep costs down, Michelin does not even routinely hedge its foreign-exchange risks.

The Economist

Smart-phones are expensive, but to keep costs down, Apple uses outsourcing at Foxconn in China.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

You can also keep costs down by avoiding a cash-out refinance.

Forbes

Says he: "You can still have a Mercedes and keep costs down".

Forbes

"That makes it hard to keep costs down".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "keep costs down", prioritize identifying areas where expenses can be reduced without compromising essential quality or functionality. For instance, consider negotiating with suppliers or opting for more energy-efficient equipment.

Common error

Avoid simply choosing the least expensive option without considering long-term value. While aiming to "keep costs down", ensure that the chosen solution provides adequate performance and durability, preventing future expenses due to premature failure or inadequacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep costs down" functions as a verb phrase. It expresses an action that needs to be taken to manage or reduce expenses. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to describe strategies, efforts, or necessities related to cost management.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep costs down" is a very common and grammatically correct expression used to describe efforts to control or reduce expenses. Ludwig's analysis reveals that it is most frequently found in News & Media sources but also appears in formal business and scientific contexts. While interchangeable with similar phrases like ""reduce expenditure"" or ""minimize expenses"", "keep costs down" maintains a more neutral tone suitable for various situations. As Ludwig AI also indicates, the phrase is a straightforward way to communicate the importance of financial prudence in project management, personal finance, or organizational strategy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce expenditure

Focuses on actively decreasing spending.

minimize expenses

Highlights achieving the lowest possible expenses.

control spending

Emphasizes managing and regulating how money is spent.

lower overhead

Specifically targets the reduction of general business expenses.

economize

A more concise and formal way of saying to be thrifty.

be cost-effective

Stresses achieving value for the money spent.

curb outlays

Implies restraining or limiting the amount of money spent.

trim budgets

Suggests a deliberate cut in the allocated funds.

streamline operations for savings

Emphasizes efficiency improvements to reduce expenses.

practice fiscal prudence

Highlights the importance of careful and responsible money management.

FAQs

How can I use "keep costs down" in a sentence?

You can use "keep costs down" to describe efforts to reduce expenses. For example: "The company is implementing new strategies to "keep costs down" during the economic downturn".

What's a more formal way to say "keep costs down"?

A more formal alternative to "keep costs down" is to say "reduce expenditure" or "minimize expenses". These alternatives are suitable for business or academic contexts.

Is "keeping costs down" grammatically correct?

Yes, "keeping costs down" is grammatically correct. It is the gerund form of the phrase and can be used as a subject or part of a continuous tense verb phrase. For example: "Keeping costs down is essential for the company's long-term profitability".

What's the difference between "keep costs down" and "cut costs"?

"Keep costs down" implies maintaining expenses at a low level, while "cut costs" suggests actively reducing existing expenses. The former is more about prevention, and the latter about correction.