societal costs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "societal costs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the negative impacts or expenses that society incurs as a result of certain actions, policies, or events. Example: "The societal costs of pollution include health issues and environmental degradation that affect the entire community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Gun violence adds to these societal costs.

The Washington Post

Howard writes forcefully about the societal costs of lawsuits.

The New York Times

(The societal costs of nonviolent psychopaths may be even higher.

The New York Times - Magazine

We are in for big individual and societal costs.

The Guardian

develop information on societal costs of cigarette-ignited fires.

Cornell University

The economy and the environment both benefit by taxing that which really has societal costs.

The New York Times

"Excessive leverage has large societal costs," he said in prepared testimony.

The New York Times

We prefer to rely on general revenues to cover societal costs.

The New York Times

As a state, we face health, environmental, economic, and societal costs that can last generations.

University of California, Berkeley

td * d * vt (societal costs).

European Transport Research Review

Cloning mammoths may lead to other societal costs as well.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "societal costs", be specific about which sector of society bears the brunt of these costs. For example, specify costs to healthcare, education, or infrastructure.

Common error

Avoid vague statements about "societal costs" without providing concrete examples or data. Always support your claims with evidence to enhance credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "societal costs" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to the economic, social, and environmental burdens that a society bears due to certain actions, events, or policies. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "societal costs" is a noun phrase used to describe the broad range of negative impacts a society faces due to various factors. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. Usage spans various contexts, from scientific research and news reporting to academic discussions, typically in a neutral to formal register. When using the phrase, aim to provide specific examples and data to support your claims, avoiding overgeneralizations. Ludwig's examples demonstrate the phrase's common usage in discussing issues like gun violence, environmental degradation, and public health.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Costs to society

A more direct way of phrasing the original term.

Societal burdens

This alternative emphasizes the weight and difficulty imposed on society, rather than just the monetary aspect.

Community costs

Focuses on the costs borne specifically by a community rather than society at large.

Public expenses

Highlights the financial burden on the public due to certain actions or events.

Collective expenses

Highlights that the expenses are shared across the society.

Social burdens

Emphasizes the weight or difficulty imposed on society.

Economic impact on society

Specifies the effect on society's economy.

National expenditures

Refers specifically to expenses at the national level.

Civil expenses

Refers specifically to civil or societal expenses.

Welfare costs

Implies costs related to the well-being of society.

FAQs

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

You can use "societal costs" to describe the negative impacts or expenses that society incurs as a result of certain actions, policies, or events. For example, "The "societal costs" of pollution include health issues and environmental degradation".

What's a good alternative to using "societal costs"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "community costs", "public expenses", or "social burdens".

Are "societal costs" and "social costs" the same thing?

While very similar, "societal costs" generally refers to the costs affecting the entire society, whereas "social costs" might refer to costs affecting specific social groups or interactions.

How do you measure "societal costs" effectively?

Measuring "societal costs" involves assessing direct and indirect expenses, including healthcare costs, lost productivity, environmental impacts, and the cost of social programs designed to mitigate negative effects.