little cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little cost" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used in various contexts to denote that something requires only a small amount of money, effort, or other resource. For example, "The repairs were completed with little cost to the homeowners."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Little cost was spared in the renovation.

The New York Times - Travel

Which is a big gain at little cost.

The Economist

Mr. Silver acquired rights to "Splice" at little cost.

The New York Times

In the event, there was a little cost overrun.

The Economist

He said this could be done at little cost.

Independent

Officials can expropriate rural land easily and at little cost.

The Economist

It incurs little cost by making the threat.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Java was distributed free or at little cost.

The New York Times

These girls' lives could change at very little cost.

The Guardian

France was neutralized militarily at little cost to the Nazis.

The New York Times - Books

Many of Mr. Thompson's proposals entail little cost.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the financial benefit of a decision, use "little cost" to emphasize the cost-effectiveness and positive impact. For example, 'Implementing this new software came at a "little cost", improving our efficiency significantly.'

Common error

Avoid using "little cost" when you mean "no cost". "Little cost" indicates a minimal expense, while "no cost" means something is free. Using them interchangeably can lead to miscommunication and incorrect expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little cost" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, often implying a benefit or advantage gained with minimal expenditure. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little cost" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something is inexpensive or requires minimal resources. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility. Analysis of its usage reveals it's most frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, highlighting cost-effectiveness. While alternatives like ""low cost"" and ""minimal expense"" offer similar meanings, it's important to distinguish "little cost" from "no cost" to avoid misrepresentation. When aiming for brevity and clarity in your writing, "little cost" serves as a valuable tool to effectively convey affordability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

low cost

Replaces "little" with "low" to emphasize the reduced expense.

small price

Replaces "cost" with "price" to provide an alternative term for expense.

minimal expense

Substitutes both "little" and "cost" for synonyms to convey a similar meaning with different wording.

inexpensive

Uses a single adjective to replace the two-word phrase, simplifying the expression.

economical

Highlights the efficient use of resources in relation to the cost.

affordable

Similar to "inexpensive", this emphasizes the ease of affording something.

modest cost

Indicates the cost is within reasonable limits and not excessive.

negligible cost

Emphasizes that the cost is so small as to be almost insignificant.

cheap

A more informal synonym for inexpensive.

at a discount

Implies a reduction from a standard price.

FAQs

How can I use "little cost" in a sentence?

You can use "little cost" to describe something that is inexpensive or requires minimal resources. For example, "The project was completed at "low cost"" or "Implementing the changes required "minimal expense"".

What's the difference between "little cost" and "low cost"?

While both phrases indicate something is not expensive, "little cost" can sometimes imply an even smaller amount than "low cost". The choice often depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

What can I say instead of "little cost"?

You can use alternatives like "inexpensive", "affordable", or ""minimal expense"" to convey a similar meaning. The best choice depends on the context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "at a little cost"?

Yes, "at a little cost" is grammatically correct and conveys the same meaning as "little cost". You can also say "at "low cost"".