under cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under cost" is not commonly used in written English and may be considered incorrect.
It can be used in contexts discussing expenses or pricing, but it is more typical to use "below cost" or "under budget." Example: "The project was completed under cost, allowing us to allocate funds to other areas."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

"We are living a crisis; it's hard; we are under cost control: but the horizon is one of growth.

The New York Times

Quite a few oil companies are under cost pressure with no sense of the oil price recovering.

The Guardian - Business

Before the late 1990's, Halliburton had generally worked under "cost plus" contracts, which guaranteed the company a small profit on top of its costs, whatever they were.

The New York Times

Both major parties accept that voters feel under cost of living pressure, despite studies showing the average Australian household is in fact $5,302 better off in real terms than it was in 2008.

The Guardian

Alan Jones, 53, in his 12th year as a tanker driver, describes an industry that is straining under cost pressures brought about by oil groups and retailers outsourcing petrol deliveries.

The Guardian

The result could well make Clark, who said before the race that the four-and-a-half-month campaign to bring the boat down under cost too much time and money, reconsider his decision not to re-contest.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Barnet council announced earlier this year that it was to remove diving facilities from the pool under cost-saving measures.

The Guardian - Sport

The union claims that jobs are being lost, pay cut and services reduced under cost-saving measures being imposed by managers.

The Guardian

BBC 6 Music, the digital station threatened with closure under cost-saving plans, celebrated a spectacular turnaround after winning the top prize, for UK Station of the Year.

Independent

Dozens of young divers may be forced to give up the sport when the facilities are stripped out of Barnet Copthall leisure centre under cost-saving measures later this year.

The Guardian - Sport

Twenty-five hofrs of nursery care a week for a child aged two or under costs on average £5,000 in England, rising to between £6,000 and £15,000 in London.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing financial performance, consider using "below cost" or "under budget" for clarity and wider acceptance. For instance, "The project was completed below cost, freeing up resources" is more standard than "under cost".

Common error

Avoid using "under cost" when you mean "below cost" or "under budget". "Under cost" can be ambiguous, while "below cost" clearly indicates a price lower than the actual expense and "under budget" means less money was spent than planned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under cost" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating a state or condition related to expenses. However, Ludwig AI suggests that it is not a standard or commonly accepted phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under cost" is used to indicate something is below its actual expense. However, according to Ludwig AI, this usage isn't considered grammatically standard, it's more appropriate to use alternatives such as "below cost" or "under budget". Analysis of the provided examples indicates that "under cost" appears in various contexts including science, news, and formal business communications. To ensure clarity and grammatical correctness, especially in formal writing, opting for established alternatives is advisable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

below cost

This alternative more directly indicates a price or expense that is lower than the actual cost.

less than the cost

This phrase provides a clearer and more explicit comparison regarding expenses.

at a reduced cost

This suggests that the cost has been intentionally lowered or discounted.

cheaper than the cost

This alternative directly implies that something is more affordable than its actual cost should be.

under budget

This alternative is used when referring to an allocated sum of money and indicates that less was spent than anticipated.

for less than the cost

This phrase clarifies that something is being obtained or sold at a price lower than its intrinsic cost.

at a bargain price

This highlights the advantageous price point, implying significant savings.

economically priced

This suggests that the pricing strategy focuses on affordability and value for money.

low-priced

This is a simple and direct way of saying that something has a low price.

at a discount

This indicates a price reduction from the standard or original cost.

FAQs

What does "under cost" mean?

While not grammatically standard, "under cost" is sometimes used to mean that something is priced or completed for less than its actual expense. However, it's more common and clearer to use phrases like "below cost" or "under budget".

What can I say instead of "under cost"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "below cost", "under budget", or "at a reduced cost". These options are more commonly accepted and easily understood.

Which is correct, "under cost" or "below cost"?

"Below cost" is generally considered the correct and more widely accepted phrase to indicate that something is priced lower than its actual expense. "Under cost" is less common and can be perceived as grammatically awkward.

Is "under cost" the same as "under budget"?

While related, "under cost" and "under budget" have distinct meanings. "Under budget" refers specifically to spending less than the allocated budget, whereas "under cost" (though less standard) suggests a price lower than the actual expense of something.