substantial costs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial costs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing significant expenses or financial implications in various contexts, such as business, projects, or personal finance. Example: "The new regulations will lead to substantial costs for the company, impacting its overall budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Pentagon cited "substantial" costs.

The New York Times

One of their substantial costs is picking.

The New York Times - Food

This early intervention saved substantial costs for both the DWP and the Tribunals Service.

The Guardian

"It also ignores the fact that we have very substantial costs we face".

The New York Times

There are of course other substantial costs involved in running the Lincolnshire property".

The Guardian

The league's application for substantial costs was granted and the courts will also assess potential damages.

The Guardian - Sport

Government regulation frequently imposes hidden and substantial costs on industry and, indirectly, on consumers.

The New York Times

Purely defensive measures, meanwhile, often impose substantial costs on innocent people and may imperil civil liberties.

The Economist

In this case, disclosure may impose substantial costs on companies without corresponding benefit.

The New York Times

The delay is related to the substantial costs of retooling and retraining.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Companies that provide skimpy health benefits or none at all could thus incur substantial costs.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial costs", ensure that you quantify or provide context for the costs to emphasize the magnitude. For example, specify the amount or compare it to a relevant benchmark.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial costs" without providing concrete examples or figures. Overstating the cost without backing it up weakens your argument and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial costs" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective 'substantial' modifies the noun 'costs'. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to denote significant expenses. The examples provided illustrate its usage in diverse contexts ranging from business to healthcare.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial costs" is a frequently used and grammatically correct phrase that describes significant financial implications across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms this. Predominantly found in news, media, and scientific publications, its purpose is to highlight economic burdens. To enhance its impact, quantify the costs when using this phrase. While numerous alternative exist, such as "considerable expenses" or "significant expenditures", using "substantial costs" requires credible backing to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable expenses

Emphasizes the notability or amount of the expenses.

significant expenditures

Highlights the financial outlay involved.

major outlays

Stresses the largeness of the amounts spent.

heavy financial burdens

Focuses on the impact of the costs as a hardship.

high price tags

Informal way to refer to the significant expense.

large capital investments

Highlights the investment aspect of these expenses.

extensive budgetary impact

Focuses on the effect on a budget.

notable financial commitments

Emphasizes the obligation of funds.

appreciable monetary implications

Highlights the financial consequences or effects.

meaningful economic consequences

Focuses on economic impact rather than just cost.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial costs" to describe significant expenses in various contexts. For example: "The project incurred "substantial costs" due to unexpected delays".

What's a good alternative to "substantial costs"?

Alternatives include "considerable expenses", "significant expenditures", or "major outlays", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "substantial cost" instead of "substantial costs"?

While grammatically possible to use "substantial cost" when referring to a singular item or expense, "substantial costs" is more common when referring to overall financial implications or multiple contributing factors. For example: "The substantial cost of the equipment upgrade" vs. "The project faced "substantial costs" related to both labor and materials".

What's the difference between "substantial costs" and "hidden costs"?

"Substantial costs" refers to the high amount of expenses. "Hidden costs" refers to expenses that are not immediately obvious or disclosed but contribute to the overall financial burden. For example: "While the initial estimate seemed reasonable, "substantial costs" arose due to various "hidden costs"".