Cost Collocation for IELTS - Advanced Vocabulary for Band 8+
7 min read
Updated On
-
Copy link
Upgrade your answers with advanced vocabulary such as Cost Collocation for IELTS along with its types and a list of 10 useful collocations. Learn powerful combinations and grammar structures that sharpen your ideas for a band 8+ score.
Table of Contents


Limited-Time Offer : Access a FREE 10-Day IELTS Study Plan!
Instead of just incorporating simple words in your answers, you can level up your expression with Cost Collocation for IELTS. Remember that precise and genuine usage of such words is the key to getting a higher band score for lexical resources in the IELTS Exam. Using these collocations would help you to show that you have a higher command of English vocabulary. In this way, you can utilize more academic yet natural expressions in your answer to achieve a band 8+.
Connect with our IELTS Trainers to crack your IELTS exam in no time! FREE Demo.
Types of Cost Collocation for IELTS
Incorporating collocations seamlessly in your Speaking and IELTS Writing answers would enhance your band scores. Collocation with ‘Cost’ can be used in topics such as business, social, environmental, educational, or daily activities. Each section provides grammatical patterns and sentences to make your IELTS preparation more efficient. Below are the four types of cost collocation which you must get familiar with.
1. Verb + Cost
Cost is mostly used with verbs to indicate money, resources, or outcomes. These can be used in Writing Task 2 for public spending, education, or healthcare. This collocation is useful when describing actions.
[Subject] + [verb] + cost (+ object)
-
Reduce the cost
The company is working to reduce the cost of production. |
-
Cut the cost
Many households are trying to cut the cost of electricity. |
-
Bear the cost
The government will bear the cost of treatment. |
2. Adjective Collocations with Cost
These are helpful in essays with social or economical issues to add complexity. With such collocations, you can express or describe both the level and the nature of the cost.
[Adjective] + cost (of + noun)
-
Hidden cost
Travel insurance may include several hidden costs. |
-
Additional cost
Deliveries may involve additional cost. |
-
Rising cost
The rising cost of living is a serious problem in many urban areas. |
3. Noun + of + Cost
Using this specific type of cost collocation in IELTS would help highlight the specific areas related to certain expenses or spending. You can use this in task 2 essays or even in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.
[Noun] + of + cost
-
Burden of Cost
The burden of cost is often paid by the citizens. |
-
Estimation of Cost
Before commencing with the project, an estimation of cost is required. |
-
Sharing of Cost
International cooperation may provide an opportunity for the sharing of costs in research. |
4. Expressions with Cost of
The term “cost of” is the most common economical phrase that can be simply incorporated for advanced use. These phrases are ideal for use in the speaking questions, particularly when discussing sacrifices. With such collocations, you can expand your ideas naturally.
-
The cost of living
The cost of living abroad is extremely expensive. |
-
The cost of production
The cost of production is comparatively lower when the circulatory automation is being used. |
-
At the cost of (something)
Success is sometimes attained at the cost of one's health. |
Check out the Top 10 IELTS Grammar Books and get a chance to score a band 8+.
List of 10 Useful Cost Collocation for IELTS
Learning cost collocations affords greater clarity and precision in expressing ideas. The topic ‘cost’ can seem quite important when dealing with finance, business methods, and even education and everyday life. Hence, once you understand and practice these, you can use them in an appropriate context confidently in your IELTS Speaking and Writing tasks. The following are the list of 10 useful cost collocations for IELTS.
Collocation |
Meaning |
Example |
1. High Cost |
Not cheap |
Studying abroad often comes at a high cost, but the experience is invaluable. |
2. At All Costs |
To get something no matter what it takes. |
Environmental protection should be prioritised at all costs in order to combat climate change. |
3. Cost of Living |
The amount of money needed for basic expenses. |
The rising cost of living has made it difficult for many families to save for the future. |
4. Cut Costs |
To reduce expenses. |
Many companies cut costs by reducing staff or outsourcing services. |
5. At Great Cost |
An accomplishment with considerable sacrifice. |
The new highway was constructed at great cost to the environment. |
6. Hidden Costs |
Additional charges that are not clear at once. |
Online shopping may appear cheaper, but hidden costs can make it more expensive. |
7. Cost a Fortune |
Very expensive. |
The luxury car must have cost a fortune. |
8. Spare No Cost |
To spend as much money as needed. |
The government spared no cost in preparing for the international summit. |
9. True Cost |
The actual or extended cost |
Consumers rarely consider the true cost of fast fashion to the planet. |
10. Cost Overruns |
When a planned budget is exceeded. |
The expansion of the airport faced significant cost overruns. |
Prepare yourself with An Exclusive Grammar Workbook: Guide to All Grammatical Woes!
Exercise on Cost Collocations for IELTS
With that, you know the collocations with 'Cost' in relation to your answers in IELTS. The next step is to use these collocations in practical situations. Remember that the main aim of the following exercises is to see your level of understanding and then focus on your application technique for perfecting your range of use. Let's go.
EXERCISE 1. Use the correct form of these verbs where you would use the collocation verb + cost :
calculate |
claim back |
cover |
depend on |
cut |
spread |
1 When we had the idea of making a video, we thought we would make a lot of money, but, in the end, we didn’t even______our costs.
2 Cheap labour from abroad is being used to keep costs down. A number of factories have also been closed in an attempt to______costs.
3 The cost of repairing the damage caused by the storms has been______at over £20 million.
4 Whether or not we go on holiday to New Zealand will______the cost of the flights.
5 I paid for my hotel with my own credit card, but I’m able to______the cost of it______on expenses.
6 Why not pay monthly and______the cost of your house insurance over the year?
EXERCISE 2. Complete the sentences with these expressions for Common Adjective Collocations.
average cost |
at no extra cost |
high cost |
running costs |
full cost |
estimated cost |
increased costs |
the cost is negligible |
1 When you buy a new computer, you usually get a bundle of software included______.
2 The final cost of the new opera house is likely to be in the region of £50 million. This means that the______has more than doubled!
3 Higher tax on fuel means______for the ordinary motorist.
4 The main drawback of the flat in the town centre is its______. We simply can’t afford it.
5 I’m afraid that the owners of the flats will have to bear the______of the roof repairs. No subsidies or grants are available.
6 I think our next car ’ll be a diesel. The______are far lower than a petrol car.
7 The______of a new house in the UK last year was £80,000.
8 Don’t worry about ringing abroad at this time of the evening. It really isn’t very much.______.
EXERCISE 3. Complete the sentences with these nouns where you would use the collocation noun + of + cost :
breakdown |
grounds |
idea |
details |
1 Can you give me an______of the cost of the repairs?
2 The bill will be £400. Here’s a detailed______of the costs.
3 The plan to build a new national stadium had to be abandoned on______of cost.
4 The government has cleverly avoided disclosing any______of the financial cost of the war.
EXERCISE 4. Complete the sentences below with the following where you would use the expressions with cost + of:
borrowing care |
living |
postage |
health |
1 It will be £30.45 if you add in the cost of______and packaging.
2 The government has reduced the cost of______in an attempt to get the economy moving again.
3 The high cost of______in New York means I’m going to have to come back to the UK.
4 I believe that everyone should pay something towards the cost of their own______.
Answers for the Exercise on Cost Collocation for IELTS
Excellent work! Let’s compare what you have done with the correct ones given below and also take a note on whether you have done everything right. This critical reflection would help you improve on understanding the context and help you with your IELTS Band Score.
Exercise 1:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise 2 :
1. at no extra cost |
2. estimated cost |
3. increased costs |
4. high cost |
5. full cost |
6. running costs |
7. average cost |
8. The cost is negligible |
Exercise 3 :
1. idea |
2. breakdown |
3. grounds |
4. details |
Exercise 4 :
1. postage |
2. borrowing |
3. living |
4. health care |
Enroll into our Free IELTS Webinar and learn more about techniques to improve your grammar for IELTS.
Collocations with 'Cost' are very important for scoring a band 8+ in the IELTS exam. This helps you learn the proper expressions needed to express your thoughts more clearly and smoothly. Therefore, practicing these collocations will increase your knowledge of using IELTS Vocabulary which will make your answers sound stronger and precise based on the context. So, continue the flow and learn more collocations to use them in your responses seamlessly.
Also Check:


Start Preparing for IELTS: Get Your 10-Day Study Plan Today!
Explore other IELTS Articles

Kasturika Samanta

Kasturika Samanta

Kasturika Samanta

Kasturika Samanta
Recent Articles

Nitika Gupt

Nehasri Ravishenbagam

Nehasri Ravishenbagam
Post your Comments