total cost

USAGE SUMMARY

"total cost" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to express the entirety of a cost. For example, "The total cost of the project came in at $10,000."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Total cost: 28 dollars.

The New York Times

Total cost: 12.50 euros.

The New York Times

Total cost: $50.

The New York Times

Total cost: £6.

The Guardian - Travel

Total cost was £48.

The Guardian - Money

Total cost: $4.31, including tax.

The New York Times - Travel

Total cost about 350 million.

The New Yorker

Total cost: Less than $40.

The New York Times

The total cost was $361.97.

The New York Times

Total cost: ten dollars.

Columbia University

4. Low total cost.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing budgets or financial analyses, clearly define what "total cost" includes (e.g., materials, labor, overhead) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Ensure your "total cost" calculation includes all potential expenses, including often-overlooked factors like maintenance, support, or training, to present a realistic financial picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "total cost" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject or object in a sentence, denoting the entire expense incurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "total cost" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to represent the entire expense associated with something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it finds frequent application across diverse fields like news, science, and general knowledge. When using the phrase, it's important to clearly define which specific costs are included. Some good alternatives are "overall expenditure", "aggregate expenses", and "complete price". Remember to account for all potential expenses, including hidden costs, to provide an accurate and realistic financial assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entire cost

Synonymous, but with a slightly stronger emphasis on completeness.

total expenditure

More formal and emphasizes a comprehensive view of all expenses.

total outlay

Replaces "cost" with a synonym, emphasizing the amount spent.

overall expenditure

Replaces "cost" with a synonym for a more formal tone.

comprehensive cost

Highlights the inclusion of all contributing factors to the overall expense.

aggregate expenses

Uses a more formal term for "total" and a synonym for "cost".

complete price

Focuses on the price aspect, implying the final amount.

full price

Emphasizes the absence of discounts or partial payments.

total spend

Informal but equivalent, especially in budgeting contexts.

final bill

Commonly used in transactional contexts, like restaurants.

FAQs

How is "total cost" used in a sentence?

The phrase "total cost" typically functions as a noun phrase, often used as the subject or object of a sentence. For instance, "The "total cost" of the project exceeded the initial budget" or "We need to reduce the "total cost"."

What is an alternative to "total cost"?

Alternatives to "total cost" include "overall expenditure", "aggregate expenses", or "complete price", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

What does "total cost of ownership" mean?

"Total cost of ownership" refers to the purchase price of an asset plus the costs of operation over its lifespan. It includes expenses like maintenance, upgrades, and disposal. Consider the "total cost of ownership" when evaluating long-term investments.

Is there a difference between "total cost" and "final cost"?

"Total cost" generally refers to a comprehensive calculation of all expenses involved. "Final cost" often implies the ultimate price paid after negotiations, discounts, or additional charges. The "final cost" is typically the amount due at the end of a transaction.