not cost-effective

USAGE SUMMARY

"not cost-effective" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means that something is not financially practical or advantageous. Example: Upgrading to a new phone every year is not cost-effective, as the cost far exceeds the benefits.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Vaccine stockpiling is not cost-effective in most scenarios even with 100% vaccine effectiveness.

Plosone

"They're not cost-effective".

The New York Times

"It's not cost-effective," says Mr Abadinsky.

The Economist

The program was discontinued because it was not cost-effective.

The New York Times

Having a high turnover of staff is not cost-effective.

The Guardian

It is not cost-effective for production of biofuel.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

It is not cost effective to supply grid electricity to rural populations.

The Guardian

Officials decided it was not cost effective to reopen Millstone 1.

The New York Times

"So altogether what they were doing was not good, not cost effective".

The New York Times

But we recognise that is not cost effective at the moment.

Independent

"It's just not cost effective to do bad reviews.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When evaluating options, quantify both costs and benefits to support your claim that something is "not cost-effective". For example, "While solar panels reduce energy bills, the initial installation cost makes them not cost-effective for short-term homeowners."

Common error

When deeming something "not cost-effective", remember to account for all associated costs, including maintenance, training, and potential risks. Failing to consider these indirect expenses can lead to inaccurate assessments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not cost-effective" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or describes a situation, indicating that something is not financially practical or advantageous. Ludwig confirms this common usage, showing it is widely applied to various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not cost-effective" is a commonly used adjective phrase indicating that something is financially impractical or disadvantageous. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. When using this phrase, it's crucial to consider all direct and indirect costs to support the claim. Alternatives include "uneconomical" or "financially unviable". Understanding its nuances and usage patterns is essential for effective communication in professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uneconomical

Single word replacement, focusing on the lack of economic value.

financially unviable

Highlights the lack of financial sustainability.

not economically feasible

Emphasizes the lack of economic practicality.

too expensive to implement

Focuses on the high costs associated with putting something into practice.

not a good investment

Highlights the lack of profitability or return on investment.

unprofitable

A direct synonym indicating a lack of profit.

beyond the budget

Indicates that something exceeds available financial resources.

not worth the expense

Highlights that the benefits do not justify the cost.

a waste of money

Emphasizes the lack of value for the money spent.

doesn't make financial sense

Focuses on the lack of logical financial reasoning.

FAQs

How can I use "not cost-effective" in a sentence?

You can use "not cost-effective" to describe a situation where the costs outweigh the benefits. For example, "Implementing the new software system was "not cost-effective" due to high training costs and minimal productivity gains."

What are some alternatives to saying "not cost-effective"?

Alternatives to "not cost-effective" include "uneconomical", "financially unviable", or "not economically feasible". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "not cost-effective" and "inefficient"?

"Not cost-effective" specifically refers to financial considerations where costs outweigh benefits. "Inefficient" describes a process or system that wastes resources, including time and energy. Something can be inefficient without necessarily being "not cost-effective" and vice versa.

When is it appropriate to use the term "not cost-effective"?

Use "not cost-effective" when a proposed solution or expenditure does not provide sufficient value or return relative to its cost. It's often used in business, healthcare, and public policy discussions to justify decisions based on economic efficiency. For example, "Investing in that marketing campaign proved to be "not cost-effective" as it did not yield a significant increase in sales."