zero cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "zero cost" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe something that does not require any payment or expense. Here is an example: "The company offers a zero cost trial period for new customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

"It has zero cost of adoption.

MIT Technology Review

And we're providing that at zero cost to employees.

The New York Times

Here, user security is perfectly enforceable (zero cost).

University of California, Berkeley

Essentially the company sells them the stock at zero cost.

Harvard Business Review

But supporters of a "yes" vote say there is zero cost.

The New York Times

We believe zero cost is the only best case outcome here for Tata Steel".

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

MIPS trend to zero [cost] and bandwidth trends to infinite.

Forbes

Instead, Google is touting ease of use, copious integrations and zero cost (for some).

TechCrunch

I would also guarantee any whistleblower coming forward would have the best legal representation at zero cost".

The Guardian - Tech

A related driver is the near-zero cost of borrowing dollars.

Forbes

(Speaking of zero-cost fun, check out five fabulous free things to do with kids in Chicago).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the absence of financial burden, use "zero cost" to highlight that no monetary outlay is required. This is particularly effective in marketing or business contexts where cost savings are a key selling point.

Common error

Avoid assuming that something offered at "zero cost" lacks value. The absence of a price tag doesn't negate the benefits or quality of the product or service. Be clear about the value proposition even when the cost is zero.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "zero cost" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that something is available without any financial expenditure. Ludwig examples show its use in describing products, services, or actions that do not require payment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "zero cost" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate that something is available without any financial expense. Ludwig's analysis confirms its acceptance and broad applicability across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and business. It functions as an adjective phrase and serves to emphasize the absence of financial burden, making it a valuable tool in marketing, informative writing, and general communication. The related phrases like "free of charge" and "at no expense" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific context and desired emphasis. Remember that despite the lack of monetary cost, the value of the item or service may still be substantial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at no cost

Simple and direct variation of the original phrase, changing "zero" to "no".

free of charge

Uses a more common and widely understood phrase to indicate no cost.

without charge

Indicates the absence of any fee or payment.

at no expense

Emphasizes the lack of financial burden or expenditure.

without cost

A simple and direct way of stating that something is free.

no-cost

Uses a hyphenated adjective form.

cost-free

Emphasizes the absence of cost as a primary attribute.

complimentary

Often used in business settings to indicate something given freely as a courtesy.

gratis

A less common, more formal term for free.

for nothing

An informal way of saying something is free.

FAQs

What does "zero cost" mean?

The term "zero cost" means that something is available without any financial charge or expense. It's effectively free.

What can I say instead of "zero cost"?

You can use alternatives like "free of charge", "at no expense", or "without charge" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "zero cost"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. You can find many examples of its usage in various reliable sources.

What's the difference between "zero cost" and "low cost"?

"Zero cost" means there is no expense at all, while "low cost" implies that there is a minimal expense, but not completely free.