slight cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slight cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small or minimal expense associated with a particular action or decision. Example: "The upgrade will provide better performance, but it comes at a slight cost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

This exacted a slight cost, mainly a few moments of shrillness in the strings.

The New York Times - Arts

That provision, because of its slight cost and a modest fee, ran afoul of the constitutional mandate that tax measures originate in the House.

The New York Times

A decade ago, when the group began its career, those qualities sometimes exacted a slight cost in precision and tone, but the freshness of the performances made the tradeoff worthwhile.

The New York Times - Arts

In the end, the service gives direct results, and should keep Craigslist largely spam free for now, although at a slight cost to user convenience.

TechCrunch

All of this comes at a slight cost in terms of installation requirements, since there's a power cord supplying the energy needed to run the Canvas.

TechCrunch

"It adds a slight cost to the transaction, but it's worth it," says Eileen Harrington, associate director in the Bureau of Consumer Protection of the FTC.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The EGP is expected to result in a slight cost-increase per patient in the first follow-up year, as compared to standard follow-up.

BMC Cancer

Ask them to defray the slightest costs, however, and they may change their tune.

The Economist

It's an obvious, effective, non-partisan solution; and the slight added cost and complexity is more than justified by the value in shoring up the foundation on which our entire society is built.

TechCrunch

Secondly, SVG exposes its elements to the browser's Document Object Model (DOM) in order to allow for interactivity at an added slight computational cost.

Plosone

No patients dropped out due to crucial adverse effects with either type of care or due to the slight extra cost of receiving CTs in the IM model.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slight cost", ensure the context clearly indicates what the cost refers to, whether it's financial, effort-related, or another type of disadvantage. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "slight cost" when the cost is actually significant or has major implications. Accurately assess and represent the true impact to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight cost" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "slight" modifies the noun "cost". It describes the extent or degree of the cost, indicating that it is minimal or not substantial. Ludwig provides many examples in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slight cost" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a minimal expense or disadvantage. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is valid and frequently used in written English. It is particularly useful in contexts where you want to emphasize that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. While it appears in various fields, it's most prevalent in news, science, and business contexts. When using "slight cost", ensure you're accurately representing the degree of the cost and that it truly is minor. Alternatives like "minimal expense", "minor drawback", or "modest fee" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Minimal expense

Focuses on the expense being very small or insignificant.

Marginal cost

Specifically emphasizes the additional cost of producing one more unit or item.

Minor drawback

Shifts the focus to a disadvantage rather than a monetary cost.

Insignificant price

Emphasizes the price being so low as to be almost nonexistent.

Small disadvantage

Highlights a minor negative aspect, not necessarily financial.

Modest fee

Highlights the charge being moderate and reasonable.

Reasonable price

Focuses on the fairness and acceptability of the price.

Nominal charge

Highlights the charge being very small or symbolic.

Limited downside

Refers to a small amount of disadvantage or negativity.

Trivial sacrifice

Suggests the cost is so small it's barely noticeable.

FAQs

How can I use "slight cost" in a sentence?

You can use "slight cost" to describe a minimal expense or disadvantage associated with something. For example, "The upgrade offers significant improvements, but it comes at a slight cost."

What is an alternative to the phrase "slight cost"?

Alternatives include "minimal expense", "minor drawback", or "modest fee", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "small cost" or "slight cost"?

"Small cost" and "slight cost" are often interchangeable. However, "slight cost" may subtly imply a more negligible or less impactful cost compared to "small cost".

What's the difference between "slight cost" and "significant cost"?

"Slight cost" refers to a minimal or unimportant expense or disadvantage, while "significant cost" implies a considerable and important expense or disadvantage.