Cool MatePrice vs This cost
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Price
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
This cost
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Price
| Price | This cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/praɪs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/praɪs/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðɪs kɒst//🇺🇸 //ðɪs kɔst// |
| Meaning | The amount of money you need to pay for something. | The amount of money needed to buy something. |
| Example | The price of the book is ten dollars. | 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 | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | exorbitant, high, inflated, command, fetch, go for, climb, double, go up, level, range, hike, at a/the price, in price, a drop in price, a fall in price, a reduction in price | determine this cost, reduce this cost, explain this cost |
| Antonyms | free, costlessness | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'prize' which is a reward for winning., Using 'price' as a verb when it should be a noun., Mixing up 'price' with 'value', which can have different meanings. | 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 everyday conversations about buying and selling. Not typically used in very formal writing, which might prefer 'cost'. | Use 'this cost' when discussing specific prices. It’s appropriate in both spoken and written contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Price vs This cost
What's the difference between Price and This cost?
Price: The amount of money you need to pay for something. This cost: The amount of money needed to buy something.
Which is more common: Price and This cost?
Price is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Price: The price of the book is ten dollars. This cost: I wasn’t expecting **this cost** to be so high.
Can I use Price and This cost interchangeably?
Not always. Price 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.