unforeseen costs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unforeseen costs" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to expenses that were not anticipated or planned for in a budget. For example, "The project ran over budget due to unforeseen costs related to material shortages." Alternative expressions include "unexpected expenses" and "unanticipated charges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

You also need to account for unforeseen costs.

The New York Times

There can be unforeseen costs, too, such as alcohol-induced generosity, so be warned.

Independent

Like owning a boat outright, there are unforeseen costs in owning shares.

The New York Times

So he regularly finds unforeseen costs of austerity undermining the political gains.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fracking those wells used 97bn gallons of water, raising new concerns about unforeseen costs of America's energy rush.

The Guardian

"Stimulus Bond Program Has Unforeseen Costs" (Business Day, June 16) focused on controversy about the Build America Bonds program, generated primarily by Congressional critics.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

If something breaks down, you do not suddenly have an unforeseen cost.

The Guardian

For one thing, living longer imposes a "longevity risk"—the unforeseen cost of extra years of life on both the individual and on society.

The Economist

They also point to future problems for our species, as Wells argues in his latest book, Pandora's Seed: The Unforeseen Cost of Civilization Allen Lanee).

The Guardian - Tech

Asked if taxpayers would have to pay for any unforeseen cost increases, or a decision to abandon the 3.2-gigawatt plant altogether, De Rivaz said: "Categorically not".

The Guardian

Despite the huge, unforeseen cost of having to repair and secure the New York transit system, officials said yesterday they do not not have any immediate plans to increase fares or reduce services.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unforeseen costs" when you want to emphasize the unexpected nature of expenses, especially in financial planning or project management contexts.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that "unforeseen costs" occurred without providing context or analysis. Detail what specific events or factors led to these unexpected expenses. This provides valuable insights for future planning and risk management.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unforeseen costs" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig indicates its correct and frequent usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unforeseen costs" refers to unexpected expenses, and is a grammatically sound noun phrase commonly used across various domains, including news, science, and business. As confirmed by Ludwig, its use is widespread and generally accepted. When writing, consider including a contingency fund in your budget to mitigate the impact of such costs, and be specific about the events leading to them. Alternatives such as "unexpected expenses" can be used, depending on the formality and emphasis desired. Budgeting for the unexpected is always recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpected expenses

Replaces "costs" with "expenses", emphasizing the financial aspect and the surprise element.

unanticipated expenditures

Uses more formal vocabulary, suitable for business or academic contexts.

unplanned financial burdens

Highlights the financial strain caused by the unexpected nature of the costs.

surprise charges

Applies to specific instances where charges appear without prior notice.

hidden expenses

Emphasizes that the costs were not initially apparent or disclosed.

contingency expenses

Focuses on the need to have a fund to cover such costs.

emergency funds

Emphasizes a focus on an account to pay for such unexpected costs.

unpredicted outlays

Similar to "unanticipated expenditures" but uses an alternative noun.

incidental expenses

Suggests expenses that arise as a secondary result of an activity.

budget overruns

More specific, referring to exceeding the allocated budget due to unexpected costs.

FAQs

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

You can use "unforeseen costs" to describe unexpected expenses that impact a budget, such as, "The project's budget was significantly impacted by "unforeseen costs" associated with regulatory compliance."

What are some alternatives to "unforeseen costs"?

Some alternatives include "unexpected expenses", "unanticipated expenditures", or "unplanned financial burdens". The best choice depends on the level of formality and specific context.

What's the difference between "unforeseen costs" and "unexpected expenses"?

"Unforeseen costs" and "unexpected expenses" are very similar and often interchangeable. "Unforeseen" emphasizes the lack of anticipation, while "unexpected" simply highlights the surprise element. In most cases, the difference is negligible.

Is it better to budget for "unforeseen costs" or hope they don't happen?

It's always better to budget for "unforeseen costs" by including a contingency fund. While you can hope they don't occur, proactive planning is essential for effective financial management and project success.