preliminary cost

USAGE SUMMARY

"preliminary cost" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing initial estimates or assessments of expenses before final figures are determined. For example, "The preliminary cost of the project is estimated to be around $50,000." Alternative expressions include "initial cost" and "estimated cost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Some officials said they expected Mr. Ratner's preliminary cost estimates to swell quickly.

The New York Times

Some preliminary cost figures from Covered California, the organization that will operate the state's insurance exchange, illustrate the issue.

The New Yorker

The museum will be paid for by contributions from the public, said officials, who added that a preliminary cost estimate will be ready this fall.

The New York Times

Assuming that the memorial motivates enough private donors to build it -- the preliminary cost estimate is $175 million -- the jurors' choice, "Reflecting Absence," by Michael Arad and Peter Walker, could be the most important public memorial in decades.

The New York Times

We have to do some preliminary cost estimates, and we have to take a look not only at the cost of the cable but the costs involved in excavating and trenching work".

The New York Times

Mr. Millstein, an investment banker with Lazard Frères & Company, said that a preliminary cost analysis he performed last year indicated that the merger could provide savings of 20 to 30percentt on the local portion of the tax bill for residents of both municipalities.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

But then Shorten got a preliminary costing from the parliamentary budget office ($49bn over 10 years) and used his budget in reply speech on Thursday night to pocket the cash anyway.

The Guardian

Preliminary cost-benefit analysis illustrated economic viability of the proposed approach.

Construction and Building Materials

Preliminary cost-benefit results are presented based on business partner estimations.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Economic evaluations in this field are rare, however preliminary cost-effectiveness analysis have shown a favourable economic profile for BT in OA.

European Journal of Integrative Medicine

However, in order to compare the different possibilities one needs to do some preliminary costing.

Computers & Chemical Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting a "preliminary cost", always clarify that the figure is subject to change and further refinement as the project progresses. This manages expectations and avoids misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid treating the "preliminary cost" as a definitive budget. Unexpected factors can easily cause these initial estimates to increase, so ensure contingencies are considered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary cost" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "preliminary" modifies the noun "cost". It describes an initial or early estimate of expenses. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

28%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "preliminary cost" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an initial estimate of expenses. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across diverse fields like science, news, and business, demonstrating its versatility. While the phrase is generally accurate, remember that a "preliminary cost" is not final and is subject to change. Alternatives include "estimated cost" or "initial expense". Always clearly state that the figure is tentative to avoid misunderstandings. As Ludwig's examples demonstrate, the term is frequently found in discussions about project budgets, construction, and scientific research.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

early cost assessment

Highlights the phase of early-stage evaluation of the cost.

initial expense

Focuses on the starting cost or first expenditure associated with something.

estimated cost

Highlights the approximated nature of the cost, suggesting it's not yet final.

projected expense

Emphasizes a forward-looking calculation of what the cost will likely be.

approximate cost

Stresses the inexact and rounded nature of the cost assessment.

rough estimate

Indicates a quick, less detailed calculation of the cost.

budget forecast

Deals more with financial planning and predictions for spending.

pre-construction cost

More specific to expenses before the start of building.

base cost

Implies the base or base-level expenditure, before any additions.

ballpark figure

Suggests an informal approximation, often lacking specific details.

FAQs

How do you use "preliminary cost" in a sentence?

You can use "preliminary cost" to describe an initial estimation of expenses, for example: "The "preliminary cost" for the renovations is $10,000, but this may change."

What is another way to say "preliminary cost"?

Alternatives to "preliminary cost" include "estimated cost", "projected expense", or "approximate cost".

Is there a difference between "preliminary cost" and "final cost"?

"Preliminary cost" refers to an initial, often less precise, cost estimate. "Final cost" is the actual, fully calculated expense after all factors have been accounted for.

When should I use the term "preliminary cost"?

Use "preliminary cost" when you're presenting an early-stage estimate, before all the details and potential variables are known.