unreasonable cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unreasonable cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a price or expense that is considered excessive or not justifiable. Example: "The project was halted due to the unreasonable cost of materials that exceeded the budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

A 2012 report by the government's audit chamber found about 15bn rubles (about £260m) in "unreasonable" cost overruns in the preparations for the Sochi Olympics.

The Guardian

A most curious feature about this case is the distinct lack of protest from social conservatives about the unreasonable cost of divorce, as the price imposed by federal legislation, to effect a change in a married personʼs gender status.

The Guardian - Opinion

Most managers surveyed by the report said they were firm supporters of female staff during and after their pregnancies, with two thirds stating they did not think pregnancy puts an unreasonable cost burden on the workplace.

The Guardian - Money

Auditors found the work of some staff members at Olympstroi, the state company in charge of Sochi construction, between 2008 and 2010 was "conducive to incurring unreasonable cost overruns".

The Guardian

About a quarter felt pregnancy put an unreasonable cost burden on the workplace and a similar proportion suggested it was reasonable to ask women in job interviews whether they planned to have children.

The Guardian

"Why on earth would you go offshore, which is more expensive, when you still haven't developed North Dakota?" In Rhode Island, a $200 million, 28.8-megawatt demonstration project being developed in state waters by Deepwater Wind was tripped up late last year when the local utility, National Grid, declined to enter into an agreement to buy power from the project, citing its "unreasonable" cost.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Circus representatives told ministers the compromise was "disrespectful", imposed unreasonable costs and would stop them hitting animals to control and train them.

Independent

Like many other mayors, Ms. Miner blamed the state government for passing unreasonable costs, like pensions and other mandates, on to municipal governments.

The New York Times

1. Ensure the full implementation of the services directive across the EU. 2. Ensure data protection rules don't place unreasonable costs on business.

The Guardian

Allinson, who sat next to Cameron at the Newspaper Society lunch, argued that her company could not afford the "completely unreasonable" costs to see the deal through.

The Guardian

HSBC is considering leaving Britain to return to Hong Kong because it is so fed up with what it sees as unreasonable costs heaped on the banking sector.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing project budgets or financial planning, use "unreasonable cost" to highlight expenses that significantly deviate from expected or justifiable levels. For instance, state: "The project was delayed due to the unreasonable cost of specialized equipment."

Common error

Avoid using "unreasonable cost" when you simply mean an expense that was not anticipated. "Unreasonable" implies the cost is excessive or unjustified, not merely unforeseen. Instead, use "unexpected cost" or "unanticipated expense" for costs that were simply not planned for.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unreasonable cost" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "unreasonable" modifies the noun "cost". Ludwig AI shows that it often acts as the subject or object of a sentence, indicating an expense that is considered too high or unjustified.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unreasonable cost" is grammatically sound and commonly employed to denote expenses deemed excessive or unjustified. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. When using the phrase, ensure it appropriately conveys the idea of a cost that is not simply high but also lacks justification. Alternatives like "excessive expense" or "exorbitant price" can offer nuanced variations. When writing, differentiate it from similar-sounding terms like "unexpected cost" to maintain precision and clarity. Furthermore, you should ensure that the context allows to properly use the word 'unreasonable' which has a negative connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive expense

Focuses on the extravagance or surplus nature of the cost.

exorbitant price

Emphasizes the unusually high and unfair nature of the price.

unjustifiable expense

Highlights that the expense lacks a valid reason or justification.

outrageous fee

Suggests that the fee is shocking and unacceptable.

prohibitive cost

Indicates that the cost is so high it prevents something from happening.

inordinate expenditure

Implies that the expenditure is beyond normal or reasonable limits.

unwarranted outlay

Shows that the outlay is not justified or necessary.

inflated charge

Highlights that the charge has been artificially increased.

overpriced item

Specifically refers to the price of a product being too high.

unconscionable rate

Emphasizes the unethical or morally unacceptable nature of the rate.

FAQs

How can I use "unreasonable cost" in a sentence?

You can use "unreasonable cost" to describe expenses that are excessive or not justified. For example: "The company decided to abandon the project due to the "unreasonable cost" of raw materials".

What phrases are similar to "unreasonable cost"?

Alternatives include "excessive expense", "exorbitant price", or "unjustifiable expense". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.

Is there a difference between "unreasonable cost" and "high cost"?

"High cost" simply indicates that something is expensive. "Unreasonable cost" implies that the expense is not only high but also unjustified or excessive in relation to its value or purpose.

What's the difference between "unreasonable cost" and "unreasonable expense"?

The terms are largely interchangeable. "Cost" typically refers to the amount required to purchase something, while "expense" is a broader term that can refer to any kind of expenditure. The nuance is minimal; use the one that sounds more natural in your context.