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cover the cost — pay for something

collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon

to pay the amount of money needed for something, so that it does not have to be paid by someone else.

Say it like a native

Textbook Insurance shall reimburse the entire cost.

Native Insurance covers the whole cost.

'Reimburse the entire cost' is legalistic; 'cover the cost' is what people say day to day.

Pattern: cover the cost (of something)

In use

  • My parents helped cover the cost of my university tuition.money
  • If I win the scholarship, it will cover the cost of my accommodation while I study abroad.IELTS speaking

Common mistake

✗ Will insurance cover for the repair?

✓ Will insurance cover the repair?

'Cover the cost / cover the repair' — no 'for'.

Common collocations

  • cover the cost — of, the full, repairs, entirely

Don't confuse it

‘Pay for’ is more direct, while ‘cover the cost’ often sounds more formal or polite.

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