possible costs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possible costs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing potential expenses or financial implications related to a project, decision, or situation. Example: "Before we proceed, let's evaluate the possible costs associated with this initiative to ensure we stay within budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Lurid claims by both sides about possible costs and benefits rely on them.

The Guardian

Buy a broad mix of mutual funds with the lowest possible costs, he said.

The New York Times

"The Clinton administration got these lowest possible costs by taking every assumption that would bias them down," he said.

The New York Times

The Ministry of Defence says it is too early to speculate on the possible costs of a new Trident system.

The Guardian

Though wary of the possible costs, several publishers said signing both Barnes & Noble and Borders made Bookscan's plan hard to turn down.

The New York Times

The figures below show a range of possible costs in several areas, and simply adding up the columns would be misleading.

The New York Times

I have no problem with claimants' lawyers extracting from the defendants in any case the maximum possible costs as long as they are reasonable.

The Guardian - Opinion

(See George Packer's post on the possible costs, and wonder for a minute if getting the Gulf of Tonkin resolution through was such a victory for Johnson).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

He said that reduced a possible cost advantage for Boeing.

The New York Times

"No medical benefits program covers every possible cost," he said, benefits its employees considered most valuable.

The New York Times

We have an opportunity to do it at the lowest possible cost.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Quantify "possible costs" with ranges or estimates to provide stakeholders with a tangible understanding of potential financial impacts.

Common error

Don't lump all "possible costs" together without distinguishing between those that are fixed (remain constant regardless of activity level) and those that are variable (fluctuate with activity level). Understanding this difference is crucial for accurate budgeting and financial planning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possible costs" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It identifies potential financial implications or expenses associated with a particular action, decision, or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "possible costs" is a commonly used and grammatically sound noun phrase that serves to highlight potential financial implications in various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's versatile enough for news, scientific, and business discussions. When using the phrase, consider quantifying the costs and differentiating between fixed and variable expenses for better clarity. Alternatives like "potential expenses" and "estimated costs" can add nuance depending on the specific situation. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively incorporate "possible costs" into your writing and discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potential expenses

Focuses on the financial aspect, highlighting that the costs are not yet definite.

potential outlays

Emphasizes the action of spending money or resources.

prospective expenditures

A more formal way of referring to future spending.

estimated costs

Highlights that the costs are approximate and based on calculations.

anticipated expenses

Implies that the costs are expected to occur.

foreseeable costs

Highlights the predictability of the costs.

likely expenses

Suggests a high probability of the costs occurring.

contingent liabilities

Focuses on potential financial obligations that may arise.

risk exposure

Emphasizes the potential for financial loss or harm.

financial implications

Broadly covers the financial effects that a decision or action may have.

FAQs

How can I use "possible costs" in a sentence?

You can use "possible costs" to discuss potential expenses or financial implications related to a project, decision, or situation. For example, "Before we proceed, let's evaluate the "possible costs" associated with this initiative to ensure we stay within budget."

What are some alternatives to saying "possible costs"?

You can use alternatives like "potential expenses", "estimated costs", or "anticipated expenses" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "estimated costs" and "possible costs"?

"Estimated costs" implies a calculation or approximation, while "possible costs" refers more broadly to potential expenses that may arise. Consider using "estimated costs" when you have a specific calculation, and "possible costs" when referring to a range of potential expenses.

When should I use "potential expenses" instead of "possible costs"?

"Potential expenses" is a good alternative when you want to emphasize the financial aspect of the costs and highlight that they are not yet definite. Both "possible costs" and "potential expenses" are often interchangeable, but "potential expenses" is more precise when focusing specifically on finances.