what does it Cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what does it cost" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about the price or expense of a product or service. Example: "Before making a decision, I need to know what does it cost to upgrade my subscription."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

What does it cost?

The New York Times

What does it cost carriers?

The New York Times

What Does It Cost?

The New York Times - Tech

And what does it cost you?

The New York Times

What does it cost you?

The Guardian - Film

A magical tour – but what does it cost?

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

But what did it cost?

The New York Times

What did it cost the girl (or Obama) or America to kill Bin Laden?

The Guardian - Film

"A lot of people, they ask, 'What did it cost you to go to college?"' Smith said.

The New York Times - Magazine

And what did it cost to generate these outcomes?

Forbes

What did it cost to get rid of him?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When inquiring about the cost of a service or product, be specific about what is included in the price to avoid misunderstandings. For example, instead of simply asking "what does it cost?", ask "what does it cost for a comprehensive cleaning service including all supplies?"

Common error

Avoid assuming that the stated price includes all associated services or materials. Always clarify exactly what is covered under the cost to prevent unexpected additional charges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what does it cost" serves as an interrogative phrase used to inquire about the price or expense associated with a product, service, or action. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what does it cost" is a common and grammatically sound way to inquire about the price or expense of something. Ludwig AI confirms that it sees this phrase used very often. It is used predominantly in neutral contexts like News & Media, but it is also applicable in Science and Formal & Business settings. While straightforward, clarifying what the cost includes helps avoid misunderstandings. Alternatives like "how much does it amount to" or "what is the financial impact" can be used to vary your language depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is the price

Focuses directly on the monetary value, omitting the action or item's relation.

how much does it amount to

Emphasizes the total sum or final expense involved.

what are the expenses involved

Highlights the cumulative costs rather than a single price.

what is the financial impact

Shifts focus to the broader financial implications.

what are the monetary implications

Similar to financial impact but more formal.

what outlay is required

Emphasizes the expenditure necessary, more formal.

what is the investment

Frames the cost as a potential return, applicable in specific contexts.

what is the economic burden

Focuses on the weight of the cost, often used for societal impacts.

what's the damage

Informal way of asking about the price.

what implications does it bear

Shifts the focus on the consequences of something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "what does it cost" in a professional setting?

In a professional setting, you can use more formal alternatives like "what are the expenses involved", "what is the financial impact", or "what outlay is required".

What's a casual way to ask "what does it cost"?

A casual alternative is "what's the damage", which is suitable for informal situations.

Is "what does it cost" grammatically correct?

Yes, "what does it cost" is grammatically correct and commonly used to inquire about the price of something.

When should I use "how much does it cost" instead of "what does it cost"?

Both phrases are interchangeable in most contexts. However, "how much does it cost" might be preferred when emphasizing the amount of money involved, while "what does it cost" can also refer to non-monetary costs or implications.