small cost

USAGE SUMMARY

"small cost" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the price or expense of an item, task, or activity. For example: "The repairs needed on the car can be done at a small cost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

There is a potential for small cost savings for consumers.

The Guardian - Business

Taylor said: "For a small cost it gets rid of this issue.

The Guardian - Money

The results also suggested that reinsurance could work, at a surprisingly small cost.

The New York Times

And these free schools have been no small cost to the taxpayer.

The Guardian

The protesters held Tahrir Square last night at no small cost.

The New Yorker

Large-scale population interventions have saved millions of lives at relatively small cost.

The Guardian

LONDON — Harry Nelson's dream of attending the London Games came at no small cost.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

ThinThread was small, cost-effective, easy to understand, and protected the identity of Americans.

The New Yorker

Google's decision comes at no small cost--a 20percentnt market share and annual revenue between $250-300 250-300 million

Huffington Post

A small cost-of-living raise that would put the worker up to $48,000 would cost him or her an insurance credit worth more than $5,000.

Vice

If there's a twenty-dollar bill on the sidewalk--economists' old catch-phrase meaning an opportunity for big gain at small cost--why not pick it up?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the financial implications of a decision, use "small cost" to emphasize affordability or minimal financial impact. This phrase is effective in persuasive writing, such as proposals or marketing materials, to reassure stakeholders about budget concerns.

Common error

Avoid using "small cost" when the actual cost, while seemingly minor, can accumulate significantly over time or across multiple instances. Always consider the cumulative effect to prevent misleading impressions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small cost" functions as an attributive adjective modifying the noun "cost". Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage and the examples indicate its role in describing expenses that are considered minimal or easily manageable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

32%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small cost" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase designed to emphasize the affordability or insignificance of an expense. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific publications, it maintains a neutral tone and serves the purpose of reassuring or persuading by downplaying financial concerns. To enhance clarity, be mindful of the actual financial impact of what you're describing, as potentially misleading your audience. You can consider alternatives like "minimal expense" or "modest fee" to more precisely represent the expense. Overall, the phrase is useful and versatile.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal expense

Replaces "cost" with "expense" for a slightly more formal tone. Similarity is high.

low price

Uses "price" instead of "cost", focusing on the monetary value. Similarity is high.

modest fee

Implies a charge for a service, suggesting a professional context. The phrase is more specific than "small cost".

affordable rate

Highlights the accessibility of the cost. It is more emphatic.

reasonable charge

Suggests fairness in pricing, adding a qualitative aspect. The phrase is more specific than "small cost".

slight outlay

Replaces "cost" with "outlay", indicating an expenditure. This phrase sounds more formal.

nominal sum

Emphasizes the insignificance of the amount. Adds a sense of triviality to the cost.

budget-friendly option

Focuses on the suitability for those with limited budgets. Shifts the focus to the user's perspective.

easily affordable

Highlights the ease of affording the cost. Focuses on affordability.

inexpensive solution

Frames the cost as part of a solution, rather than a standalone expense. Suitable in problem-solving contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "small cost" to describe something that doesn't require much money, for example: "The repairs needed on the car can be done at a "small cost"".

What's a good alternative to "small cost"?

Alternatives to "small cost" include "minimal expense", "low price", or "modest fee", depending on the context.

Is "small cost" the same as "low cost"?

"Small cost" and "low cost" are similar, but "small cost" emphasizes that the expense is not just low but also likely insignificant or easily manageable, while "low cost" simply indicates that the price is not high.

When is it inappropriate to use "small cost"?

It's inappropriate to use "small cost" if the actual expenses are substantial, even if they appear minor initially. Always consider the cumulative or potential impact of the "cost" to ensure accuracy.