Source (s): American, former journalist and editor. Answer. As to whether the saving (s) should be singular or plural, I would say that if you're definitely referring to the cost of one single thing you can't use the plural form. the amount of money that you need in order to buy, make or do somethingA new computer system has been installed at a cost of £80 000.He estimates the cost for this project at $150 000.These words all refer to the amount of money that you have to pay for something.the amount of money that you have to pay for an item or service:How much are these? please refer to the link below for the detailed info. They don’t have a price on them.the amount of money that you need in order to buy, make or do something:A new computer system has been installed at a cost of £80 000.how much something is worth in money or other goods for which it can be exchanged:The house now has a market value of one million pounds.the money that you spend on something; something that makes you spend money:A total of 3.6 million tickets at an average cost of $58 are available for the Games.Competition will drive the price down near to the marginal cost.Contractors can now be required to carry the cost of delays.Delegates receive allowances to meet the cost of travel.I would put the cost of a new employee at $80 000 a year.It is essential that we operate with the lowest possible cost base and most efficient facilities.Now people can access the internet at minimal cost.She was unwilling to pay the extra cost to get a room to herself.The corporation will pay all costs and expenses incurred with its written consent.The high cost of energy was a problem for consumers.We're hoping that we'll at least cover costs at the conference.What is the current replacement cost of these assets?You can spread the cost of your loan repayment over 10 years.You will have to bear the full cost of the building work.The true cost of running a car is much greater than just the price of the petrol you use.the total amount of money that needs to be spent by a businessOpinion was divided on the potential costs and benefits of the scheme.These are all words for money spent by a government, an organization or a person.the total amount of money that needs to be spent by a business:the amount of money that is spent, especially by a government or an organization:money that has to be spent by a person or an organization; money that you spend while you are working that your employer will pay back to you later:the regular costs of running a business or an organization, such as rent, electricity and wages:the money that you have to spend in order to start a new business or project, or in order to save yourself money or time later:The best equipment is costly but is well worth the outlay.The company's costs have risen over the last 5 years.the costs associated with buying and selling propertyThe capital cost of these projects is some $100 million—then there'll be the operating costs.the effort, loss or damage that is involved in order to do or achieve somethingthe terrible cost of the war in death and sufferingThey advanced a few hundred metres, but at a heavy cost in life.He worked non-stop for three months, at considerable cost to his health.I felt a need to please people, whatever the cost in time and energy.The victory was achieved at great cost to the country's infrastrucure.The raid was foiled, but at a cost: an injured officer who was lucky to survive.The country has suffered the enormous cost of trade sanctions.the sum of money that somebody is ordered to pay for lawyers, etc. For most consumers, the price of automobile insurance continues to rise annually, even if free of damage claims and moving violations. For most consumers, the price of automobile insurance continues to rise annually, even if they are free of damage claims and moving violations. "The COSTS of traveling into outer space ARE astronomical." all other contexts you can use either singular or plural. The plural form of cost is costs . the cost of something the terrible cost of the war in death and suffering; the environmental cost of nuclear power; at the cost of something She saved him from the fire at the cost of her own life (= she died). In your example sentence "costs" refers to expenses, not fees or revenue, and by "collected" it means brought together in a single budget (not collected in the sense of collecting revenue, or taxes).