unanticipated costs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unanticipated costs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to expenses that were not expected or planned for in a budget or financial projection. Example: "The project ran over budget due to several unanticipated costs, including additional materials and labor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"They have absorbed enormous unanticipated costs," he said of local governments, "as has the private sector".

The New York Times

"These are some substantial new and unanticipated costs," said John F. Signor, a spokesman for the State Health Department.

The New York Times

The House measure includes $1.6 billion for the Pentagon to cover unanticipated costs because of rising fuel prices.

The New York Times

Did it all go smoothly, or did you find out about all kinds of unanticipated costs along the way?

The New York Times

Lawmakers on Wednesday night then loaded on $4 billion more in additional military spending to cover unanticipated costs of spare parts, military health care and safety maintenance.

The New York Times

By 1927 the apartment buildings were finished, but unanticipated costs had already raised the Temple's price by over a million dollars.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The controversy became public last week when state budget officials confirmed that unanticipated cost overruns, particularly in Medicaid and in state prisons, had thrown the state $610 million over budget.

The New York Times

But he and Dr. Feely said this service appeared to be coming with an unanticipated cost: potentially profound impacts on ocean chemistry and biology.

The New York Times - Science

The sum would "have to come out of the school budget", he said, which he had just spent a fortnight working on, and the unanticipated cost would make it harder to fund some of his other priorities, such as installing wireless internet connections in the school and supplying pupils with tablet computers.

BBC

You're going abroad, to a country that might not speak English, and who knows what unexpected event might occur that will have an unanticipated cost.

Huffington Post

Democrats agreed, until a projected shortfall of $233 million for 2001 grew by $66 million early last month and $19 million in unanticipated borrowing costs came to light in recent weeks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In contracts or agreements, include clauses that address how "unanticipated costs" will be handled to avoid disputes later on.

Common error

Avoid using "unanticipated costs" when referring to deliberately concealed or undisclosed fees. "Unanticipated costs" genuinely arise from unforeseen circumstances, whereas hidden costs are intentionally obscured.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unanticipated costs" functions as a noun phrase, where "unanticipated" modifies the noun "costs". It describes expenses that were not predicted or expected. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unanticipated costs" refers to expenses that were not expected or planned for. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across various domains. It is crucial to understand the context in which it's used, distinguishing it from hidden costs and preparing for it with contingency plans. Common alternative phrases include "unexpected expenses" and "unforeseen expenditures". Being aware of potential errors and implementing best practices, such as allocating a contingency fund, can help mitigate the impact of these unforeseen expenses on budgets and financial stability. The most authoritative sources, according to Ludwig, include The New York Times and Huffington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpected expenses

Replaces "unanticipated" with "unexpected", focusing on the surprise element of the costs.

unforeseen expenditures

Uses "unforeseen" instead of "unanticipated" and "expenditures" instead of "costs", creating a more formal tone.

unpredicted outlays

Substitutes "unanticipated" with "unpredicted" and "costs" with "outlays", offering a slightly different nuance.

unbudgeted expenses

Highlights that the costs were not included in the budget.

contingency expenses

Refers to expenses that are set aside for unexpected events, implying a proactive approach.

surprise charges

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the charges or fees.

emergency funds

Suggests the need for immediate financial resources to cover the unexpected costs.

unforeseen financial burdens

Replaces "costs" with a broader term, "financial burdens", emphasizing the negative impact.

additional financial obligations

Highlights the extra financial responsibilities arising from the unexpected costs.

unexpected financial liabilities

Presents the costs as legal or contractual financial responsibilities that were not foreseen.

FAQs

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

"Unanticipated costs" are expenses that were not expected or planned for. For example: "The company's profits were lower than expected due to several "unanticipated costs"."

What can I say instead of "unanticipated costs"?

Alternatives include "unexpected expenses", "unforeseen expenditures", or "unbudgeted expenses", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "unanticipated costs" and "hidden costs"?

"Unanticipated costs" are genuinely unforeseen, while hidden costs are intentionally concealed or not disclosed upfront. It's important to differentiate between expenses that arise unexpectedly and those that were deliberately obscured.

Are "unanticipated costs" tax deductible?

Whether "unanticipated costs" are tax deductible depends on the specific nature of the expense and applicable tax laws. Consult a tax professional to determine deductibility in your situation.