per copy

USAGE SUMMARY

"per copy" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to the pricing for a single copy of something, or to describe something that has been replicated or reproduced multiple times. For example: "The cost of the book is $10 per copy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Publish a per copy distribution number.

WikiHow

The final cost per copy for us is nearer £4.

The Guardian - Books

We pay £2 per copy to the producers, so we're only making £2 to £3 profit per copy".

The Guardian

Corporations can buy StarOffice in large quantities for as little as $25 per copy.

The New York Times - Tech

A copy of the Daytona Beach News-Journal, the local newspaper, was fetching $5 per copy.

The New York Times - Sports

Today, that royalty rate works out to about nine cents per copy.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The per-copy price won't help either.

The Guardian

Armor kits for Humvees are not expensive but are not being provided, while $250 million-per-copy aircraft are.

The New York Times

Mulholland and the British publisher, Canongate, combined their orders to reduce per-copy cost of production in China.

The New York Times - Books

"But together we have a bigger physical footprint so of course that helps get the physical cost-per-copy down".

The New York Times

Although we do not identify absolute values for the per-copy transcription rate, we are able to estimate the ratio of the per-copy transcription rate between different constructs and cells.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "per copy" when discussing costs, royalties, or metrics related to individual instances of a replicated item. For example, in publishing or manufacturing contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "per copy" when referring to collective amounts. For instance, don't say "the total cost per copy" when you mean "the cost per copy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "per copy" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a noun, typically related to cost, price, or metrics, indicating that the quantity or value applies to each individual copy. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

33%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "per copy" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase primarily used to specify a rate, cost, or other quantifiable metric for a single instance of a replicated item. According to Ludwig, it functions adverbially. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Science, and has a neutral to professional register. When using it, ensure clarity and avoid misapplying it to collective quantities. Remember the phrase is correct, and there is no grammar error using it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for each copy

Emphasizes the individual nature of each item being counted, subtly highlighting distribution.

for every single copy

Adds emphasis to the individuality of each copy, implying scrutiny or importance.

price per book

More specific, used only if "copy" refers to books.

cost per item

Focuses specifically on the monetary aspect, good for pricing scenarios.

per unit

Generalizes the concept to any unit, not just copies; suitable for broader applications.

unit cost

Economic term; good for business plans.

by the copy

Puts more focus on the action of obtaining it, is slightly more formal, common in legal or official contexts.

individual copy

Highlights the individuality of each item.

each copy

A shorter alternative, less suitable to pricing and more to distribution.

per impression

Common in advertising, emphasizing each viewing.

FAQs

How is "per copy" used in a sentence?

The phrase "per copy" is typically used to indicate the cost, value, or some other metric associated with a single instance of a replicated item, such as "The printing cost is $2 "per copy"".

What can I say instead of "per copy"?

Alternatives to "per copy" include "for each copy", "per unit", or "each copy", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "per copy" or "for copy"?

"Per copy" is the correct phrasing when referring to a cost or metric associated with an individual item. "For copy" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "per copy" and "per unit"?

"Per copy" is specifically used when discussing replicated items, while "per unit" is a more general term that can apply to any individual item, whether replicated or unique.