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: "I would like to know what does it cost to repair my car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

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 asking about the cost of a service, be specific about what the service includes to avoid misunderstandings about the final price. For example, instead of just asking "what does it cost?", specify "what does it cost for a complete oil change, including the filter and labor?"

Common error

Avoid using "what does it cost?" without specifying what you're asking about. Always provide context to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "I need to know, what does it cost?", specify "I need to know, what does it cost to ship this package overnight?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what does it cost" serves as an interrogative expression used to inquire about the price or expense associated with a product, service, or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its application in diverse scenarios, from everyday purchases to complex business transactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what does it cost" is a grammatically sound and versatile interrogative expression widely used to inquire about the price or expense of something. As Ludwig AI affirms, it’s appropriate for various contexts, from casual conversations to professional settings. It serves the primary purpose of eliciting information about monetary value and is frequently found in news media, scientific articles, and business communications. While straightforward, ensuring contextual clarity is crucial for effective communication. Alternatives such as "how much is it" or "what's the price" can also be used based on the formality of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how much does it amount to

This alternative inquires about the total sum or final price, emphasizing the overall cost.

what's the price

A more direct and concise way to ask about the cost.

how much will it set me back

This is an informal way of asking about the cost, implying the impact on the speaker's finances.

what is the expense

This alternative uses a more formal term, "expense", to inquire about the cost.

what will it run me

This phrase is a colloquial way of asking about the cost, similar to "set me back".

what is the tariff

This option uses "tariff", implying a formal or official price, especially for services or utilities.

what's the going rate

This inquires about the typical or standard price for something.

what is the fee

This is used to ask about the price for services provided by professionals.

how much is the damage

This phrase is a humorous or dramatic way to ask about the cost, especially when anticipating a high price.

what are the charges

This inquires about the various costs or fees involved, often in a service or transaction.

FAQs

How can I ask about the price of something without using "what does it cost"?

You can use alternatives like "how much is it", "what's the price", or "could you give me a quote" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "what does it cost" in a formal setting?

Yes, it's generally acceptable, but in highly formal settings, using phrases like "what is the total expense" or "what are the associated fees" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "what does it cost" and "how much does it cost"?

There's virtually no difference. Both phrases are used to inquire about the price of something, and they are interchangeable in most contexts.

How do I specify what I'm asking about when I ask, "what does it cost"?

Always provide context. For example, instead of just saying "what does it cost?", specify "what does it cost to repair my car?" or "what does it cost for a one-year subscription"?