raise costs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "raise costs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an increase in expenses or prices associated with a product, service, or operation. Example: "The new regulations are expected to raise costs for manufacturers, which may lead to higher prices for consumers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Improvements like these raise costs.

The Economist

This GMO creates sick people which raise costs in healthcare.

University of California, Berkeley

This would immediately raise costs for businesses and households.

The Economist

Rules raise costs by compelling businesses to do things differently.

The Economist

This is sure to raise costs for the industry worldwide.

The Economist

But the repeat procedures also raise costs and risks.

The New York Times

It would also raise costs for natural gas and coal.

The Washington Post

Perversely, such projects may raise costs in the long run.

Harvard Business Review

By its nature, that is going to raise costs above inflation.

Princeton University

What's more, some promoters will resist uniform standards if they raise costs.

The New York Times - Arts

They will indeed raise costs, that is, shift up the aggregate supply curve.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "raise costs", consider the specific context. If the increase is due to external factors, stating those factors can add clarity. For example: "Increased raw material prices will raise costs for manufacturers."

Common error

Avoid stating that a company's actions "raise costs" when the increases are actually due to broader market forces. Instead, clarify whether the action is a deliberate choice to increase prices or a reaction to existing pressures.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "raise costs" is as a verb phrase where "raise" acts as a transitive verb taking "costs" as its direct object. It describes the action of causing an increase in expenses or prices. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

11%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "raise costs" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe actions or events that lead to an increase in expenses. According to Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for use in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts, it serves to inform or warn about potential financial burdens. While alternatives like "increase expenses" or "escalate prices" exist, "raise costs" provides a versatile and direct way to discuss the financial implications of various decisions and external factors. It is advisable to clearly attribute the cause to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase expenses

Focuses on the general act of increasing expenditures, without necessarily implying a direct action to cause the increase.

escalate prices

Specifically refers to a rapid or significant increase in prices, often due to external factors.

drive up expenses

Implies that certain actions or factors are actively causing expenses to increase.

inflate costs

Suggests an artificial or unwarranted increase in costs, potentially due to manipulation or inefficiency.

boost expenditures

Indicates a deliberate increase in spending, often to stimulate growth or achieve specific objectives.

hike charges

Refers to a sudden or substantial increase in fees or rates, often in a business or service context.

augment outlays

A formal term for increasing spending, often used in financial or budgetary contexts.

elevate tariffs

Specifically refers to raising taxes or duties on imported goods.

lift prices

A more general term for increasing prices, often used in market or economic discussions.

expand budgets

Implies a larger financial plan with increased spending across various areas.

FAQs

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

You can use "raise costs" to describe actions or events that lead to an increase in expenses. For example, "New regulations will "raise costs" for small businesses."

What are some alternatives to "raise costs"?

Alternatives include "increase expenses", "escalate prices", or "drive up expenses" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "costs are raised" instead of "raise costs"?

While grammatically correct, "costs are raised" is a passive construction and less direct. "Raise costs" is an active construction and generally preferred for clarity and conciseness.

What's the difference between "raise costs" and "increase prices"?

"Raise costs" refers to the overall expenses incurred, while "increase prices" refers specifically to the amount charged to consumers. A company's costs may "raise costs", which may then lead them to "increase prices".