main cost

USAGE SUMMARY

"main cost" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the primary expense associated with an activity, task, product, or service. For example, you could say, "The main cost in renovating our kitchen was the cabinets."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The main cost is a superhigh deductible.

The New York Times

The main cost of production for most businesses is labour.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the main cost was Entwistle's pay-off.

The Guardian

The main cost of the Falklands war was that of replacing lost ships and aircraft.

The Economist

"With steel being so expensive, that's our main cost," Mr. Alwitt said.

The New York Times

But the main cost driver is the fee-for-service payment system.

The New York Times

New services for carers are expected to be the main cost of the measures in 2015-16.

The Guardian

"That's hard to compete with if your main cost centre is journalism .Two bitter ironies serve to deepen the gloom.

The Economist

• Here are some of the main cost drivers: ELIGIBILITY AND "OPTIONS" New York's Medicaid program covers 4.9 million people.

The New York Times

Electric vehicles will continue to drop in price as the main cost — batteries — become cheaper.

TechCrunch

Indonesia's main cost of borrowing rose a quarter of a percentage point to 6.75%.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing budget allocation or cost analysis, clearly identify the "main cost" to provide a focal point for decision-making and resource management.

Common error

Avoid focusing solely on direct costs when identifying the "main cost". Consider indirect costs like maintenance, utilities, or administrative overhead that significantly contribute to the overall expense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "main cost" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig provides examples showing how it identifies the most significant expense in various contexts, such as in business production or healthcare.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "main cost" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term used to pinpoint the most significant expense within a given context, as affirmed by Ludwig. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals its prevalence in science, news, and formal business settings. When using "main cost", consider synonymous alternatives like "primary expense" or "largest cost component" for nuanced emphasis. Remember to account for both direct and indirect costs to accurately identify the "main cost" and facilitate informed decision-making.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary expense

Replaces "cost" with "expense", highlighting the financial aspect.

most significant cost

Replaces "main" with "most significant", emphasizing importance.

principal expenditure

Substitutes both "main" and "cost" with more formal synonyms.

largest cost component

Focuses on the "cost" as part of a larger structure.

core expenditure

Replaces main with core, and cost with expenditure.

major financial burden

Emphasizes the negative financial impact of the cost.

biggest overhead

Specifically refers to the ongoing costs of running a business or project.

key cost driver

Highlights the factor that most significantly influences the cost.

dominant cost factor

Emphasizes the factor which dominates the cost.

substantial financial outlay

Replaces both "main" and "cost" with more formal synonyms, also adding more emphasis.

FAQs

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

You can use "main cost" to identify the most significant expense in a project or activity. For example, "The "main cost" of building the house was the labor."

What is another way to say "main cost"?

Alternatives to "main cost" include "primary expense", "largest cost component", or "principal expenditure".

What factors should I consider when determining the "main cost"?

When determining the "main cost", consider both direct and indirect expenses, as well as potential hidden costs. A comprehensive analysis will help you accurately identify the largest financial burden.

How does "main cost" differ from "total cost"?

"Main cost" refers to the single largest expense, whereas "total cost" encompasses all expenses combined. The "main cost" is a component of the overall "total cost".