The Past Tense of Cost: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

If you have ever been curious about the correct english grammar past participle of cost, this article will clear that up plus give you a look into the history of the word, the definition, how to pick the perfect tense, and everything else you could want to learn about the english verb.

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What is the English Language Definition of Cost?

The word cost is defined as:

  • the amount or equivalent paid or charged for something: pricing or particular amount
  • The average cost of a college education has gone up dramatically.
  • the outlay or expenditure (as of effort or sacrifice) made to achieve an object
    • He achieved fame, but at the cost of losing several friends.
  • loss or penalty incurred especially in gaining something
    • the cost of lives during war
  • costs plural : expenses incurred in a judicial process
    • especially: those given by the law or the court to the prevailing party against the losing party
  • at all costs
  • regardless of the cost or consequences
    • was determined to win at all costs
  • at cost
    • for the price of production

Intransitive Verb Form

  • to require expenditure or payment
    • The best goods cost a larger amount of money.
  • to require effort, suffering, or loss

Transitive Verb Form

  • to have a price of
    • Each ticket costs 25 dollars.
  • to cause to pay, suffer, or lose something
    • Frequent absences cost him his job.
  • past costed – kä-​stəd: to estimate or set the cost of —often used with “out”
    • The project has yet to be costed out.

How do you Conjugate Cost?

Here are the other conjugations of the verb cost:

Present TensePast SimpleFuture Perfect
I costCost/costedAm costing
You costCost/costedAre costing
He/she, it costsCost/costedIs costing
We costCost/costedAre costing
They costCost/costedAre costing

The History and Origin of the Word

The word cost can be traced back to the 14th century. It was used in the sense “the amount or equivalent paid or charged for something: price”. It comes from Latin originally “constare” which meant to stand firm, cost. Then the word went to the Anglo-French language “custer, coaster” and then to Middle English. 

What is the Simple Past of Cost?

The simple past of cost is costed. 

Synonyms for Cost

  • Charge
  • Disbursement
  • Expenditure
  • Expense
  • Outgo
  • Outlay
  • Bring
  • Fetch
  • Go (for)
  • Run 
  • Sell (for)

Example Sentences With the Word Cost

  • Noun
    • She attends college at a cost of $15,000 a year.
    • The average cost of raising a family has increased dramatically.
    • We offer services at a fraction of the cost of other companies.
    • What’s the difference in cost?
    • They believe that everyone should have access to adequate medical care, regardless of cost.
    • The cost of doing business in this area is high.
    • We need better cost control.
    • Winning the war, he believes, was worth the cost in lives.
    • What are the costs and benefits of the new law?
  • Verb
    •  The trip will cost you about $100 each way.
    •  The project will end up costing the government an estimated 3.5 billion dollars.
    •  It will cost you a lot of money, but it’ll be worth it.
    •  His frequent absences ended up costing him his job.
    • The error cost me a reprimand, but nothing more serious than that.
    • a blunder that has cost her considerable embarrassment

Examples of the Word in Context

Summary

Next time you need to write the word cost, you will be well prepared for everything you need to know what it is and how to use it efficiently. You should feel confident with the different conjugations, the history of the word, and the definition.

Sources:

  1. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cost
  2. https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2020/08/health-insurers-rack-up-monster-profits-as-people-delay-medical-care-during-coronavirus-pandemic.html
  3. https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/24/cars/new-york-congestion-pricing/index.html
  4. https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/08/the-capital-letter-week-of-august-17/
  5. https://www.dallasnews.com/business/health-care/2020/08/21/profiteering-health-insurers-bank-big-profits-during-covid-19-and-still-raise-rates-for-next-year/
  6. https://www.startribune.com/inequality-at-the-boiling-point-extreme-heat-takes-toll-on-poor-vulnerable/572177222/
  7. https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/energy/2020/08/17/energy-regulator-wants-assurances-arizona-wont-see-blackouts/5600989002/
  8. https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/08/new-carbon-price-focuses-on-results-you-want-not-impacts-you-dont/
  9. https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/northwest/news/lannon/2020/08/17/lannons-rock-pointe-village-apartment-complex-have-gym-clubhouse/3361008001/