overall cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overall cost" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase "overall cost" when referring to the total amount that something will cost. For example: "The overall cost of the project was $50,000."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The overall cost?

The Economist

The overall cost problem remains.

The New Yorker

Experts are divided about the overall cost of the shutdown.

The New York Times

The overall cost has not yet been determined.

The New York Times

But kickbacks might raise the overall cost of health care.

The New York Times

Thus the overall cost to shareholders may even diminish.

The New York Times

Such consolidation lowers the overall cost of remote keyless systems.

The New York Times - Tech

You've got to cap the overall cost of credit".

The Guardian - Money

Since January, overall cost reduction is closer to 20percentt.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The overall cost has not yet been accurately evaluated.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The overall cost of the package is $6bn.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing projects or budgets, use "overall cost" to clearly convey the total financial implications, ensuring everyone understands the complete financial picture.

Common error

Avoid listing individual expenses when asked for the "overall cost". Instead, provide the final sum that encompasses all related expenses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overall cost" functions as a noun phrase. It identifies the total expense or financial burden associated with a particular activity, project, or item. Ludwig's examples show it used in various contexts, from project budgets to healthcare expenses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overall cost" is a commonly used and grammatically sound term referring to the total expense associated with something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "total expenditure" or "aggregate expense" exist, "overall cost" is a direct and easily understood way to convey the complete financial burden. When writing, ensure you provide the final sum when discussing "overall cost" to avoid confusion. Considering the high frequency and authoritative sources, "overall cost" is a reliable choice for expressing total financial implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whole cost

Highlights the entirety of the cost, without considering individual components.

total expenditure

Emphasizes the total amount of money spent, differing slightly in formality.

complete expense

Stresses the completeness of the financial burden.

aggregate expense

Highlights the combined cost, providing a more formal tone.

comprehensive price

Focuses on the all-inclusive pricing, slightly altering the perspective.

total financial commitment

Highlights the financial obligations involved, changing the aspect.

full price

Implies the complete price without discounts or reductions, shifting the emphasis.

global price

Indicates a worldwide or universal cost, broadening the scope.

final amount

Emphasizes the end result of the calculation, altering the focus.

net cost

Refers to the cost after deductions, altering the perspective.

FAQs

How do I use "overall cost" in a sentence?

You can use "overall cost" to refer to the total expense of something, as in, "The "overall cost" of the renovation was higher than expected".

What's a good substitute for "overall cost"?

Alternatives include "total expenditure", "aggregate expense", or "comprehensive price", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the overall cost are" instead of "is"?

No, the correct phrasing is "the overall cost is" because "cost" in this context is a singular noun referring to a single total amount.

What factors contribute to the "overall cost" of a project?

The "overall cost" typically includes materials, labor, overhead, and any unexpected expenses that may arise during the project.