was the cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was the cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about the price or expense of something in the past. Example: "I was curious to know what was the cost of the project last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Part of the reason was the cost.

The New York Times

"What surprised us was the cost side".

The New York Times

Ms. Diaz's main objection was the cost.

The New York Times

What was the cost of the entrance exam?

The New York Times

Such was the cost, locals dubbed the cargoes "white gold".

The Guardian - Sport

In 2010, it was the cost of the World Service.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The price we paid was the cost of that rental.

The New York Times - Sports

That was the cost for 12 million people in 2011.

The Guardian - Opinion

And what was the cost of these policies?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Such was the cost of progress in the 1950s.

The Guardian - Books

Our measure of outcome was the cost-effectiveness ratio (CER).

Surgery

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was the cost", ensure the context clearly refers to a past event or calculation. Using it in hypothetical scenarios might require adjusting the tense.

Common error

Avoid using "was the cost" when discussing future or hypothetical expenses. Use "will be the cost" or "would be the cost" instead to maintain correct tense agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was the cost" functions as an interrogative phrase, specifically used to inquire about the monetary value or expense associated with something in the past. As Ludwig shows, it directly seeks information about a past expenditure or sacrifice.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was the cost" is a grammatically sound and commonly used interrogative phrase, primarily functioning to inquire about a past expense or price. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts but most frequently appears in news and media and scientific publications. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, ensure correct tense usage when referring to future costs. Its frequent appearance in reputable sources and grammatical correctness contribute to a high expert rating.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what was the expense

Replaces "cost" with "expense", maintaining the question about a past expenditure.

what was the price

Substitutes "cost" with "price", directly asking about the monetary value.

what was the outlay

Replaces "cost" with "outlay", emphasizing the initial investment or expenditure.

what price was paid

Emphasizes a sacrifice or loss incurred.

what did it amount to

Focuses on the total sum or outcome of spending.

how much did it set back

An informal way of asking about the financial impact.

what were the financial implications

Shifts the focus to broader financial consequences rather than a specific cost.

what was the damage

An informal way to ask about the amount of money something cost.

what repercussions did that have

Highlights the consequences or effects, which can be financial or otherwise.

what was the investment

Suggests a focus on the resources committed to something.

FAQs

How can I use "was the cost" in a sentence?

You can use "was the cost" to inquire about the price or expense of something in the past. For example, "What "was the cost" of the repairs after the accident?"

What's a more formal way to ask about the cost of something?

Instead of using a direct question like "what "was the cost"", you could ask, "Could you provide a breakdown of the expenses incurred?" or "What were the financial implications of the project?"

Is it correct to say "what will be the cost" instead of "was the cost"?

Yes, "what will be the cost" is appropriate when referring to future expenses or prices. "Was the cost" refers to something that already happened, while "will be the cost" refers to something in the future.

What can I say instead of "was the cost" to emphasize the negative consequences?

If you want to emphasize negative repercussions, you might say, "What "was the price to pay"?" or "What "were the financial implications"?" depending on the context.