paltry cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "paltry cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a cost that is considered insignificant or trivial in comparison to the value or benefit received. Example: "The new software comes at a paltry cost, making it accessible for small businesses looking to improve their operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Recruited, put in uniform and out on patrol for the paltry cost of a pound an hour, Kevin Burnett is a cut-price option for curbing antisocial behaviour in the quiet Lincolnshire town of Gainsborough.

Independent

Your most precious wooden prop will be mine — for the paltry cost of only $30,000.

TechCrunch

You get all that for $1,000 -- a measly grand, a paltry cost for such an investment in your child's future.

Huffington Post

Elon Musk wants to build a tunnel through Los Angeles that would shoot people around the city at over a hundred miles per hour, all for the paltry cost of a single dollar.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

A dungeonlike ambience closed in like an unwanted embrace the moment one entered the building, and it failed to improve inside the three remarkably paltry rooms, which cost them $1,200 a month.

The New York Times

But the scale of payouts, even in cases where they might be available, is paltry compared with the cost to a British citizen of rebuilding his or her life back here at home.

The Guardian - Opinion

The cost, a paltry $50,000, for grass carefully grown for the occasion on farmland east of San Francisco.

Huffington Post

Expensive hostess clubs, harking back to Japan's 1980s bubble era, still exist, but they share premises with izakayas (pubs) where a glass of beer costs a paltry ¥180£1£1).

The Guardian

Maybe, for a paltry sum compared with the cost of a single day in intensive care, her doctor could have found out.

The New York Times

Co-operative customer #3 is making do with a paltry state pension, subsidising the cost of groceries with a fortnightly package from the local food bank and unable to afford energy bills.

The Guardian

A paltry 25-minute plan will cost $4.99 while 60 minutes of video share pleasure will be $9.99.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "paltry cost" when you want to emphasize that something is surprisingly inexpensive, especially when compared to the value or benefit it provides. For example, "The software upgrade came at a paltry cost, making it an easy decision to improve our system."

Common error

Avoid using "paltry cost" when the actual cost is genuinely substantial. The term is most effective when there's a clear disparity between the value received and the minimal expense. If the cost is significant, consider alternatives like "reasonable price" or "competitive rate."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "paltry cost" functions primarily as a modifier, where the adjective "paltry" describes the noun "cost". This highlights that the expense is considered insignificant or trivial, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "paltry cost" is a phrase used to describe an expense that is considered surprisingly small or insignificant, especially when compared to the value or benefit received. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct, though relatively rare in usage. It's frequently found in news and media contexts, emphasizing affordability. When using this phrase, ensure that the cost is indeed minimal relative to the value, and avoid overstating its significance. Alternatives like "minimal expense" or "insignificant price" can be used depending on the specific context. Understanding the nuances of "paltry cost" allows for more effective and persuasive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal expense

Emphasizes the smallness of the expenditure using a single word.

insignificant price

Focuses on the unimportance of the price rather than its smallness.

negligible fee

Highlights that the fee is so small it can be disregarded.

small charge

Uses a more common term, "charge", but still conveys the small size.

trivial expenditure

Emphasizes the insignificance of the spending.

modest outlay

Highlights the moderate nature of the investment.

low price

A simple and direct alternative that emphasizes the inexpensive nature of the cost.

cheap rate

Implies a bargain or discounted offer.

affordable price

Focuses on the accessibility of the cost in relation to the user's financial means.

reasonable expense

Highlights the fairness and justification of the cost.

FAQs

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

You can use "paltry cost" to describe something inexpensive relative to its value, such as: "The new security system was installed at a "paltry cost", ensuring peace of mind for the entire family."

What can I say instead of "paltry cost"?

You can use alternatives like "minimal expense", "insignificant price", or "negligible fee" depending on the context.

Is "paltry cost" formal or informal?

"Paltry cost" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It can be used in news reporting, business contexts, and even some academic settings. However, it might be overly descriptive for very informal conversations.

What's the difference between "paltry cost" and "low price"?

"Paltry cost" implies that the cost is surprisingly small compared to the value or benefit, while "low price" simply states that the price is low without necessarily implying a surprising disparity. For example, A "low price" can be simply "cheap", while "paltry cost" is cheap relative to something else.