overwhelming cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'overwhelming cost' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe a cost that is extremely high or burdensome. You can use it in a sentence like: "The overwhelming cost of medical treatment left the family struggling to make ends meet." In this example, the phrase 'overwhelming cost' emphasizes the high financial burden that the family is facing due to the expensive medical treatment. It can also be used in other contexts, such as: - "The overwhelming cost of college tuition is a major concern for students and their families." - "The company was hesitant to invest in the project due to the overwhelming cost." - "Many people are unable to afford basic necessities due to the overwhelming cost of living in this city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Given the economy, you draw important attention to a grave failure in America's social policy: a growing number of low-income single parents cannot afford to work because of the overwhelming cost of child care.

The New York Times

Its relentless focus has allowed it to maintain an overwhelming cost advantage: its expenses as a percentage of average assets run at 30 basis points versus 120 for competitors.

Harvard Business Review

Systematic and automated approaches have shown capable of reducing the overwhelming cost of engineering such systems.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

Subsurface offset gathers for shot profile or plane-wave migration, particularly 3D subsurface offset gathers, can be an overwhelming cost.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

According to a recent survey conducted by HSBC, students are spending more time working than studying due to to the overwhelming cost of education.

Forbes

Especially as crop commodity prices stay low - a multi-year trend USDA predicts will continue - the overwhelming cost of farm inputs has squeezed profitability out of crop production.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Generally, the overwhelming costs for educational institutions are salaries for teachers and support staff.

The New York Times

Addressing these challenges is of the utmost importance, given the still difficult economy and the overwhelming costs of higher education.

The New York Times

Some critics fear that beefing up treatment of the most common mental-health problems risks saddling the system with overwhelming costs.

The Economist

Instead, our society could have the compassion to say, "There but for the grace of God go I," and provide some sort of birth-catastrophe insurance to pay the overwhelming costs of raising a profoundly disabled child.

The New York Times

And even if we made all those cuts, taxes would still go up because county taxpayers would still have to bear the overwhelming costs of state mandates like Medicaid.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing financial challenges, use "overwhelming cost" to emphasize the magnitude and impact of expenses on individuals or organizations.

Common error

Avoid using "overwhelming cost" when simply stating that something is expensive. The phrase implies a burden that is difficult to bear, not just a high price point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overwhelming cost" functions as a noun phrase, where "overwhelming" acts as an adjective intensifying the noun "cost". It describes a cost that is so high or burdensome that it is difficult to manage or overcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overwhelming cost" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe expenses that are difficult to manage due to their magnitude. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in news and media, scientific publications, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the cost is truly burdensome and not just expensive. Alternative phrases like ""prohibitive cost"" or "crippling expense" can also be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prohibitive cost

Focuses on the cost being so high it prevents purchase or action.

crippling expense

Highlights the damaging effect of the expense.

astronomical price

Emphasizes the extremely high amount of money involved.

exorbitant fee

Implies the fee is unreasonably high.

unmanageable debt

Focuses on the inability to handle the financial burden.

excessive expenditure

Highlights the spending as being more than necessary or reasonable.

sky-high price tag

Emphasizes the price as being remarkably high.

massive financial burden

Highlights the significant weight or difficulty caused by the financial obligation.

tremendous financial strain

Focuses on the severe stress or pressure caused by the cost.

onerous financial obligation

Indicates the obligation is difficult and burdensome.

FAQs

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

You can use "overwhelming cost" to describe expenses that are difficult to manage. For instance, "The "prohibitive cost" of healthcare is a significant concern for many families."

What are some alternatives to saying "overwhelming cost"?

Alternatives include "crippling expense", "astronomical price", or "unmanageable debt", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "overwhelming cost" or "high cost"?

"Overwhelming cost" implies a burden or difficulty in managing the expense, while "high cost" simply indicates that something is expensive. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.

What makes the "overwhelming cost" different from the "excessive expenditure"?

The "overwhelming cost" phrase focus on the impact of a high expenditure, typically resulting in inability to overcome the financial challenge. "Excessive expenditure" indicates the expense is unnecessary or wasteful but does not automatically indicate a financial stress.