substantial cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or considerable expense associated with a particular action, project, or decision. Example: "Implementing the new software system will incur a substantial cost that we need to budget for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The bill carries a substantial cost.

The Washington Post

Aircraft were being delivered months late - at substantial cost overruns.

The New York Times

Desperate organizers found a new location but at substantial cost.

The New York Times

While I have a Foxtel subscription, others blanch at the substantial cost.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He has put off substantial cost reductions until 1980, hoping that in an election year, Pres.

The New Yorker

"I think there are substantial cost improvements that can be made," he said.

The New York Times

And he's calculated the effect on Aberdeen – "materially enhancing" to earnings and offering "substantial cost efficiencies".

The Guardian - Business

To really achieve substantial cost savings, we need to press for regional administration and investment pooling.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Priceline has also benefited from substantial cost-cutting.

The New York Times

"It's not an easy road, and you probably do need substantial cost-cutting to get there".

The New York Times

Their implementation would be with the expectation of substantial cost-saving [27, 28].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial cost" when you want to emphasize the magnitude of the expense, suggesting it could have a considerable impact on the budget or resources involved.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial cost" vaguely. Instead of saying "The project has a substantial cost", specify what aspects contribute to the high expense. For example, specify "The project's substantial cost is due to specialized equipment and expert labor."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial cost" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It quantifies the financial burden associated with a particular action, project, or item, indicating it is notably high. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

13%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial cost" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase signifying a significant expense. Ludwig confirms that it is suitable for professional and neutral contexts, and it is used to emphasize the financial implications of a decision or situation. Given its prevalence across News & Media and Scientific sources, understanding its proper usage is valuable for effective communication. Remember to be specific about what contributes to the "substantial cost" to avoid vagueness and to select semantically similar alternatives to maximize the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Significant expense

Emphasizes the financial outlay as considerable, focusing on the monetary aspect.

Considerable expense

Highlights the magnitude of the cost, implying it is worthy of attention.

High expenditure

Focuses on the act of spending a large amount of money.

Large financial burden

Stresses the onerous nature of the cost, indicating a potential strain on resources.

Heavy financial investment

Implies a significant commitment of funds with the expectation of future returns, contrasting with an outright expense.

Major outlay

Focuses on the act of spending or investing a large sum of money.

Pricy endeavor

Highlights that a specific project or activity has a notable price.

Costly undertaking

Underscores the expensiveness of a particular project or venture.

Prohibitive price

Suggests the cost is so high it may prevent someone from proceeding.

Substantial pricing

Highlights that a specific service has a notably high price.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial cost" to describe something that involves a significant expense. For example: "The new technology came at a "substantial cost" to the company" or "Renovating the building required a "substantial cost"."

What are some alternatives to "substantial cost"?

Alternatives to "substantial cost" include "significant expense", "considerable expense", or "high expenditure". Consider using these alternatives to add variety to your writing.

Is it better to say "substantial cost" or "considerable cost"?

Both "substantial cost" and "considerable cost" are correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific context. However, "substantial cost" is more common.

What's the difference between "substantial cost" and "substantial price"?

"Substantial cost" refers to the total expense involved in something, while "substantial price" typically refers to the amount one pays for a specific item or service. "Cost" encompasses a broader range of expenses than "price".