Cool MateCharge vs This cost
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Charge
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
This cost
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Charge
| Charge | This cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/tʃɑːdʒ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tʃɑːrdʒ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðɪs kɒst//🇺🇸 //ðɪs kɔst// |
| Meaning | To request payment for something. | The amount of money needed to buy something. |
| Example | I need to charge my phone because the battery is low. | I wasn’t expecting **this cost** to be so high. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | heavy, high, nominal, impose, introduce, levy, at a charge, for a charge, charge for, free of charge, overall, personal, sole, have, take, place somebody in, in charge (of somebody/something), in somebody’s charge, under somebody’s charge, grave, heavy, serious, bring, file, lay, allege something, sheet, on a/the charge, without charge, charge against, bring charges (against somebody), prefer charges (against somebody), press charges (against somebody), grave, heavy, serious, bring, file, lay, allege something, sheet, on a/the charge, without charge, charge against, bring charges (against somebody), prefer charges (against somebody), press charges (against somebody), baton, cavalry, lead | determine this cost, reduce this cost, explain this cost |
| Antonyms | credit, refund | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'charges' when referring to multiple items., Using 'charge' as a noun incorrectly in casual conversations instead of using 'billing'., Mistaking 'charge' for 'change' in payment contexts. | Confusing 'cost' with 'price'; they can have slightly different connotations., Using 'this' incorrectly; ensure it refers to a nearby or recently mentioned object. |
| Usage notes | Used in contexts related to billing or pricing services. Can be formal in business and informal when referring to casual payments between friends. Avoid in situations where a more specific term is appropriate. | Use 'this cost' when discussing specific prices. It’s appropriate in both spoken and written contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Charge vs This cost
What's the difference between Charge and This cost?
Charge: To request payment for something. This cost: The amount of money needed to buy something.
Which is more common: Charge and This cost?
Charge is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Charge: I need to charge my phone because the battery is low. This cost: I wasn’t expecting **this cost** to be so high.
Can I use Charge and This cost interchangeably?
Not always. Charge and This cost are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.