massive cost

USAGE SUMMARY

"massive cost" is an acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is usually used to indicate a very large expense, often in the context of business, government, or organizational activities. For example, "The construction project had massive costs associated with it, but it was ultimately worth it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

This is massive cost inflation," Khan said.

The Economist

"The indiscriminate collection of mass data is going to have a massive cost," he added.

The Guardian - Tech

"It always results in human tragedy and massive cost to the taxpayer ultimately".

The Guardian

"After all, the Great Depression and World War II were a massive cost to humanity.

The New York Times

I have three issues – apart from the massive cost – with sending royals around the globe.

Independent

If there are delays or massive cost overruns, Areva must cover them.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The remit has been described by one source as "part massive cost-cutting, part the future".

The Guardian

Even a straight 1% increase would be nowhere near enough to meet the massive cost-of-living increases that NHS staff have had to cope with since 2010.

The Guardian

The news will infuriate its 50,000 high street staff, who have borne the brunt of massive cost-cutting and branch closures.

The Guardian - Business

It accuses government of trying to de-skill and devalue the service as part of a massive cost-cutting exercise backed by the threat of market testing.

The Guardian - Opinion

He also predicted massive cost-cutting if a deal happens and said a Wyeth deal could provide some consolation for a lower dividend.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Quantify the "massive cost" with actual numbers whenever possible. This will give your statement more weight and credibility. For example, instead of saying "the project incurred a massive cost", say "the project incurred a massive cost of $10 million".

Common error

Avoid using "massive cost" as a generic intensifier. Ensure the context genuinely warrants the description of the cost as massive, rather than simply large or significant. Overuse can dilute the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "massive cost" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "massive" modifies the noun "cost". It emphasizes the magnitude of the expense. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is acceptable and commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "massive cost" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a very large expense. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. Its prevalence in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts suggests a neutral register, suitable for a wide range of communication. While alternatives exist for greater formality, "massive cost" effectively conveys the magnitude and significance of an expense. When using the phrase, consider quantifying the cost and providing context to enhance its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial expense

Emphasizes the considerable financial outlay involved.

huge expenditure

Highlights the amount of money spent.

significant financial burden

Focuses on the weight or impact of the cost.

prohibitive price

Suggests the cost is so high it prevents purchase or action.

astronomical sum

Implies an extremely large and almost unbelievable amount of money.

exorbitant fee

Highlights an excessively high charge for a service or product.

considerable outlay

Emphasizes the initial investment or expense.

heavy financial commitment

Stresses the obligation to spend a large amount of money.

major financial investment

Focuses on the potential return or growth from the expense.

large capital investment

Indicates a significant expenditure on long-term assets.

FAQs

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

You can use "massive cost" to describe the large expenses associated with a project, event, or situation. For example, "The new infrastructure project came with a "massive cost" to taxpayers."

What are some alternatives to "massive cost"?

Alternatives include "substantial expense", "huge expenditure", or "significant financial burden", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "massive cost" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "massive cost" might be perceived as less formal than alternatives like "substantial expense" or "considerable outlay" in some formal contexts. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "massive cost" and "high cost"?

"High cost" indicates that something is expensive, while ""massive cost"" implies an extraordinarily large expense. The word "massive" emphasizes the sheer scale and impact of the cost.