the total cost

USAGE SUMMARY

"the total cost" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to the sum of the costs of something. For example, "The total cost of the project was $50,000."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The total cost was £4.6 million.

BMJ Open

The total cost was $361.97.

The New York Times

The total cost would be $12 million.

The New York Times

The total cost is about £18m.

The Guardian - Sport

The total cost was under £1.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Fillers can also affect the total cost.

The New York Times

The total cost was £2,700.

The Guardian - Money

The total cost was about $2,000.

The New York Times

The total cost to taxpayers: zero.

The New York Times

The total cost is put at £45m.

The Guardian - Arts

The total cost of ContactPoint is £634m.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about budgets or financial reports, use "the total cost" to clearly convey the overall financial burden. This phrase ensures clarity and leaves no room for ambiguity.

Common error

Be careful to distinguish between "the initial cost" and "the total cost". Always investigate potential hidden fees, taxes, or additional expenses to accurately represent the final financial obligation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the total cost" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence to denote the overall expense or financial burden associated with something. As indicated by Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

35%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the total cost" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that refers to the overall expense or financial burden associated with something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted in written English and serves to clearly communicate the final amount of expenditure. It's found most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, and while it maintains a neutral register suitable for various situations, it's crucial to distinguish it from related terms like "initial cost" or "price" for accuracy. When using the phrase, remember to account for all potential hidden fees to represent the comprehensive financial picture. Consider using related phrases, such as "overall expense" or "complete price", for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the overall expense

Replaces "cost" with "expense", emphasizing the financial outlay.

the complete price

Substitutes "cost" with "price", focusing on the monetary value.

the full expenditure

Uses "expenditure" instead of "cost", highlighting the act of spending.

the aggregate amount

Employs "aggregate amount" to indicate the sum total, slightly more formal.

the final bill

Replaces "total cost" with "final bill", implying a summary of charges.

the cumulative charge

Uses "cumulative charge" to denote the increasing total, more technical.

the grand total

Replaces "total cost" with "grand total", adding emphasis.

the entire investment

Substitutes "cost" with "investment", framing it as a resource allocation.

the all-in price

Uses "all-in price" to suggest a comprehensive, no-hidden-fees cost.

the definitive costing

Replaces "total cost" with "definitive costing", implies an accurate assessment.

FAQs

How can I use "the total cost" in a sentence?

You can use "the total cost" to refer to the entire expense of something, such as "The total cost of the project was higher than expected" or "We need to calculate "the total cost of the renovations" before proceeding".

What phrases are similar to "the total cost"?

Similar phrases include "the overall expense", "the complete price", or ""the full expenditure depending on the context"".

Is it better to say "the total cost" or "the total price"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "the total cost" is generally used for a broader range of expenses, including labor, materials, and overhead, while "the total price" usually refers specifically to the monetary amount paid for a product or service.

What's the difference between "the total cost" and "the initial cost"?

"The initial cost" refers to the upfront expense, while "the total cost" encompasses all expenses incurred over time, including maintenance, repairs, and other associated fees. The initial cost is only a piece of the puzzle.