cost

Everyday

1. To cost is to have a price: what you must pay to buy something. tree →
2. The cost is the price or the amount paid. tree →
3. To cost can mean to make you lose something: «Being late cost us the game». tree →

In the lessons

the price of one thing, or of all things bought: the cost of many = the number × the price of one; phrases: «costs N each», «the total cost», «how much does it cost», «at all costs» (no matter what)

Examples

• A pencil costs 3 cents. tree →
• Pencils cost 3 cents each. How much do 5 pencils cost? tree →
• The total cost is 24 cents. tree →
• How much does this book cost? tree →
• The tickets cost 8 dollars each. tree →
• The bike cost more than the scooter. tree →
• The cost of food went up this year. tree →
• One mistake cost us the match. tree →
• "Will it cost much, I wonder?" tree →

Note

Past: cost (the same). The cost of many = the number × the price of one. Trap: if the total cost and the number are given, the price of one is total ÷ number. «How much» is used with money, not «how many».

In Jewish tradition

the price of one thing, or of all things bought: the cost of many = the number × the price of one; phrases: «costs N each», «the total cost», «how much does it cost», «at all costs» (no matter what)

Examples

• Till an arrow strike through his liver; as a bird hasteneth to the snare — and knoweth not that it is at the cost of his life. (Writings PRO.7.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• And king David said to Ornan: 'Nay, but I will verily buy it for the full price; for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer a burnt-offering without cost.' (Writings 1CH.21.24, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Past: cost (the same). The cost of many = the number × the price of one. Trap: if the total cost and the number are given, the price of one is total ÷ number. «How much» is used with money, not «how many».