minor cost

USAGE SUMMARY

'minor cost' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is not expensive. For example: "The repairs to my car were only a minor cost."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

An environmental friendly combat option has to be a minor cost for households.

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

Although these proposals might reduce legal and auditing costs somewhat, the reduction would be modest to an already minor cost.

Columbia University

Which illustrates how keen she was to succeed within the team her father had originally opposed her joining, at the minor cost of occasional lost familial traits.

The Guardian - Sport

Unlike many other architects at ground zero, Mr. Calatrava has retained significant creative control, although he has faced both security issues and some minor cost concerns.

The New York Times

This approach may have been reasonable when labor hours represented a large percentage of total costs, but today, for many businesses, labor is a minor cost element.

Harvard Business Review

It explains lower Chinese prices largely in terms of a tedious accumulation of minor cost disadvantages borne by Indian industry (see chart).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

But the Coast Guard's looming assent to this minor cost-cutting request is full of symbolism.

The New York Times

The "bedroom tax" and "benefit cap", whatever you think about their merits, are relatively minor cost-saving measures.

The Guardian - Opinion

With the exception of some minor cost-sharing for prescriptions, the plan eschews traditional ways of discouraging services overconsumption, such as deductibles and coinsurance.

The Washington Post

Yet those are relatively minor costs to meet given the influx of monies to come.

The Guardian - Sport

The loss includes $149 million in pretax charges for severance, exit costs and asset impairments and other minor costs tied to its 2005 purchase of Nextel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "minor cost", consider whether quantifying the cost (e.g., "a minor cost of $50") would add clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Be aware that while "minor cost" implies a low expense, it doesn't necessarily mean the cost is unimportant. Even small costs can accumulate or be significant in certain situations. Ensure your writing reflects the appropriate level of concern or attention needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor cost" primarily functions as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI shows it is often used to describe an expense that is relatively small or insignificant in comparison to a larger benefit or overall budget. It can also function as an attribute to describe something inexpensive.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

26%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "minor cost" is a commonly used noun phrase indicating an expense that is relatively small or insignificant. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, including science, news and media, and formal business settings. While "minor cost" suggests a low expense, it is important to consider the specific situation, as even small costs can accumulate or have significant implications. When using this phrase, it's helpful to provide context or quantify the cost to add clarity. Alternatives such as "low cost", "small expense", and "negligible cost" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

low cost

Replaces "minor" with "low", emphasizing the affordability.

slight cost

Indicates a small cost, similar to "minor cost".

small expense

Substitutes both words, highlighting the insignificance of the expenditure.

negligible cost

Emphasizes that the cost is so small it can be ignored.

minimal expenditure

Uses a more formal term for spending, stressing its limited nature.

affordable price

Focuses on the accessibility of the price point.

modest fee

Implies the cost is reasonable and not excessive.

insignificant charge

Highlights the unimportance of the charge.

trivial expense

Suggests the expense is so small it's not worth considering.

reasonable price

Focuses on the fairness and justification of the cost.

FAQs

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

You can use "minor cost" to describe something that doesn't require a lot of money. For example, "The repairs were a "minor cost" compared to the value of the car."

What's a good alternative to the phrase "minor cost"?

Some alternatives to "minor cost" include "low cost", "small expense", or "negligible cost", depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "minor cost"?

While "minor cost" is generally acceptable, consider your audience and the specific context. In some situations, more precise language may be necessary. For instance, instead of using "minor cost" you could provide the actual amount.

What does it mean when something is described as a "minor cost"?

When something is described as a "minor cost", it means that its price or expense is relatively small or insignificant compared to something else. It is not considered expensive.