What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rate
Example
The interest rate on my savings account is quite low. [rate: noun]
Example
She rated the movie as one of the best she had ever seen. [rated: verb]
cost
Example
The cost of living in this city is very high. [cost: noun]
Example
It will cost us a lot of time and money to complete this project. [cost: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cost is more commonly used than rate in everyday language, especially in the context of financial transactions or decision-making. Rate is less common and tends to be used in specific contexts, such as interest rates or performance ratings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rate and cost?
Both rate and cost can be used in formal and informal contexts, but rate is more likely to be used in technical or specialized contexts, while cost is more versatile and can be used in a wide range of contexts.
