whole cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whole cost" is a perfectly correct and usable expression in written English.
It can be used to refer to the total cost associated with something. For example, "The whole cost of the business trip was $3,000."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

But that's not the whole cost.

The New York Times

When it is, we encourage decision makers to consider the whole cost of a journey.

The Guardian

Not quite the whole cost of the tickets, but not far off.

The Guardian - Business

Add to that the whole cost of staging and televising the event.

Independent

The price of a tent can range from €55 (£42) to nothing when brands subsidise the whole cost through advertising.

The Guardian

The new health insurance program, which pays for the whole cost of the drug, has saved her life, she said.

The New York Times

"You wouldn't be eligible for any savings on marketplace insurance and would have to pay the whole cost".

The New York Times - Health

Councils will get a boost in funding to compensate but it will not cover the whole cost of the fund.

Independent

If so, why not make the whole cost of education transportable, from public school to private, perhaps even to individual homes where parents handle schooling themselves?

The New York Times

Now, parents who want to finance a discontinued program must raise enough to cover the whole cost for the district, regardless of who participates.

The New York Times

The company and the city each said they feared being stuck with liability for the whole cost of the project under the other's financing proposal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In financial reports, use "whole cost" to denote the total expenditure, encompassing all direct and indirect costs.

Common error

Avoid using "whole cost" when you are only referring to a part of the total expense. For instance, do not say "The whole cost of the project was $5,000, excluding labor" because this is misleading. Instead, state the exclusion clearly: "The direct material cost was $5,000, excluding labor".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whole cost" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or complement in a sentence. It refers to the aggregate expense associated with a particular item, project, or service. Ludwig AI affirms its general usability and correctness in English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

36%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "whole cost" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that signifies the total expense of something. According to Ludwig AI, it is perfectly usable in written English. It commonly appears in news and media, science, and wiki contexts. When using "whole cost", ensure clarity by specifying exactly what expenses are included to avoid confusion. Alternatives such as "total expenditure" or ""complete price"" can be used depending on the context. Remember to differentiate it from partial costs, and always aim for transparency in financial communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Total expenditure

Focuses on the complete amount of money spent, emphasizing the spending aspect.

Complete price

Highlights the final price, stressing that no additional fees are expected.

Full expense

Emphasizes that all expenses are included, with no hidden costs.

Overall financial burden

Stresses the cumulative impact of the cost, focusing on its weight or burden.

Total financial outlay

Refers to the total investment of money, suggesting a more formal or business context.

Entire sum

Emphasizes the entire amount of money involved, often used in legal or accounting contexts.

Gross expenditure

Highlights the total expenditure before deductions, often used in financial reports.

Net cost

Signifies the final cost after accounting for all deductions and credits, emphasizing the final amount.

Comprehensive cost

Implies the inclusion of all direct and indirect expenses.

Absolute expense

Stresses the expense is without any discount or partial coverage.

FAQs

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

You can use "whole cost" to refer to the total expense of something, such as "The insurance covered the "whole cost" of the surgery" or "We need to calculate the "whole cost" of the project before proceeding".

What's a good alternative to "whole cost"?

Alternatives to "whole cost" include "total cost", "complete price", or "full expense", depending on the specific context.

Is it more accurate to say "total cost" or "whole cost"?

Both "total cost" and "whole cost" are generally acceptable, but "total cost" is often preferred in formal or technical contexts. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Can "whole cost" include indirect expenses?

Yes, "whole cost" should ideally include all direct and indirect expenses to provide a comprehensive financial picture. Be sure to specify this if there's any potential for ambiguity.