running costs

USAGE SUMMARY

The two words "running costs" are correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the general monthly expenses associated with running a business, such as staff salaries, utilities, and rent. For example, "They had to increase their prices in order to cover their running costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Running costs are pretty good.

Independent

Now the running costs are piling up.

The Economist

What are the running costs like?

Independent

What about its running costs?

The Guardian

Running costs are $2,500 monthly.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

and geometries (e.g. bores) also impacts the running costs.

Surface and Coatings Technology

The running costs are pretty low.

The Guardian - Travel

Then there are the running costs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Production and running costs came later.

The Guardian

"Running costs are higher," she said.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, running costs are an issue.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial planning or budgeting, use "running costs" to clearly indicate the ongoing expenses required to maintain an operation or business.

Common error

Avoid using "running costs" when referring to the initial expenses needed to begin a project or business. "Start-up costs" are distinct from the ongoing expenses represented by "running costs".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "running costs" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the ongoing expenses associated with maintaining an operation or business. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "running costs" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term that refers to the ongoing expenses required to maintain an operation or business. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is commonly deployed in various contexts, including news, scientific research, and business planning. When using the phrase, it is important to differentiate it from initial or start-up costs and to ensure that it accurately reflects the continuous nature of the expenses being discussed. Related phrases like "operating expenses" and "maintenance costs" offer alternative ways to express similar concepts, each with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

operating expenses

Focuses more on the financial aspect of maintaining an operation.

ongoing expenses

Focuses on the continuous nature of the expenses.

maintenance costs

Highlights the expenses specifically related to upkeep and repair.

operational costs

Similar to operating expenses, but can also refer to the costs of a specific task.

upkeep costs

Emphasizes the expenses needed to keep something in good condition.

recurring costs

Highlights the fact that these costs happen regularly.

overhead costs

Refers to the indirect expenses of running a business, such as rent and utilities.

day-to-day expenses

Highlights the continuous and routine nature of the costs.

cost of operations

A more formal way to refer to expenses related to ongoing activities.

expenditure

A general term for spending money; less specific than "running costs".

FAQs

What are some examples of "running costs" in a business?

Examples of "running costs" include rent, utilities, salaries, and the cost of supplies necessary to maintain operations.

How do you calculate "running costs"?

To calculate "running costs", add up all the recurring expenses over a specific period, such as monthly or annually. Ensure you include all relevant expenses like utilities, salaries, and maintenance.

What's the difference between "running costs" and "operating expenses"?

While similar, "operating expenses" is a broader term encompassing all expenses incurred from normal business operations, whereas "running costs" often emphasizes the ongoing, day-to-day nature of these expenses.

How can I reduce "running costs" in my company?

Strategies to reduce "running costs" include improving energy efficiency, negotiating better rates with suppliers, and streamlining operations to minimize waste and unnecessary expenses.