total costs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "total costs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the complete expenses associated with a project, product, or service. Example: "Before we proceed, we need to calculate the total costs involved in the project to ensure we stay within budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The total costs are unclear.

The Guardian

Our total costs were about $40,000.

The New York Times

Total costs fell 23percentto to $40.7 million.

The New York Times

The F.A.A.'s total costs are about $1 billion.

The New York Times

Total costs were 4% down year on year.

The Guardian

Administrative costs are around 9percentt of total costs.

The New York Times

Total costs, meanwhile, rose to $25.6 billion, up 13.2percentt.

The New York Times

And the Kaiser system delivers quality while controlling total costs.

The New York Times

Calculate your total costs, and only borrow that amount.

Stanford University

Total costs for the whole scheme stand at £55.7 billion.

The Times

Total costs are unofficially estimated at about £200,000.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about budgets, use "total costs" to clearly communicate the overall financial commitment required for a project.

Common error

Be careful to include both direct (materials, labor) and indirect (overhead, administrative) expenses when calculating "total costs". Neglecting indirect costs can lead to inaccurate budgeting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "total costs" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature in written English. It is used to denote the aggregate sum of all expenses related to a particular activity, project, or product.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "total costs" is a very common and grammatically sound term used to represent the comprehensive expenses associated with a specific activity or project. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and utilized across various fields. From financial planning to scientific research, "total costs" plays a crucial role in decision-making and resource allocation. While alternatives like "overall expenses" or "complete expenditure" exist, "total costs" offers a direct and universally understood way to communicate complete financial burdens. Remember to include all direct and indirect costs for an accurate representation. Its prevalence in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian further emphasizes its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overall expenses

Focuses on the aggregate of expenses, suggesting a broader view of financial outlays.

complete expenditure

Emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the spending, implying that all expenditures are included.

aggregate expenses

Highlights the combination of individual expenses into a sum total.

full cost

A shorter, more direct way to convey the complete expense, implying that nothing is excluded.

total expenditure

Similar to "complete expenditure" but places emphasis on spending.

entire costs

Stresses the entirety of the costs, suggesting no part is missing.

combined expenses

Focuses on the act of combining different expenses to arrive at a final figure.

final cost

Highlights the ultimate cost, often used when previous costs are summed up or when the cost is known at the end.

gross costs

Implies costs before any deductions or offsets are applied.

absolute expenses

Focuses on the sheer amount of costs without regard to percentages or relative values.

FAQs

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

You can use "total costs" to refer to the overall expenses associated with a project or activity. For example: "We need to analyze the "total costs" before making a decision."

What is another way to say "total costs"?

Alternatives to "total costs" include "overall expenses", "complete expenditure", or "aggregate expenses", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's included when calculating "total costs"?

"Total costs" typically include all direct costs (such as materials and labor), indirect costs (like overhead and administrative expenses), and any other relevant expenses associated with a project or activity.

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

While similar, "total costs" generally refers to the cumulative expenses throughout a process, whereas "final cost" often highlights the ultimate amount after all expenses have been accounted for or at the conclusion of a project.