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I am wondering which of the following is correct/preferable:

We need to take into account the cost incurred until action is finally taken.

vs

We need to account for the cost incurred before action is finally taken.

For a bit of context: this passage refers to an hypothetical scenario where someone procrastinates until they finally address the issue at hand. The sentence wants to draw attention to the fact that there are costs associated with this delay in taking action.

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  • Could it be phrased as "we need to consider the costs incurred while action is pending (or delayed)?" Normal people will understand you either way, but nerds like me will consider your sentence to be equivalent to "until/before action is taken, we need to consider the cost incurred."
    – Mike
    Mar 15, 2014 at 4:57

2 Answers 2

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It probably depends on where the cost is cumulative or just a fixed cost. If the cost rises the longer they take,

We need to take into account the cost incurred until action is finally taken.

is probably the best to use.

If a fixed price

We need to account for the cost incurred before action is finally taken.

would be a suitable option. To be on the safe side, I would go for 'until' every time.

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  • thank you for this. If I don't really have a mental model of whether this cost is cumulative or fixed, but instead want to stress the fact that it could have been avoided (if only action had been taken on time), which of the two would you pick? Mar 13, 2014 at 17:44
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    'Until' is your best choice here, it makes it clearer that it's a penalty charge rather than just a regular fee.
    – Ronan
    Mar 13, 2014 at 17:46
  • It's worth noting that "We need to account for the cost incurred before action is taken" is a way of saying that if we do not do the accounting, some undesireable action will be taken as a consequence.
    – BobRodes
    Mar 13, 2014 at 18:09
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The first is preferable, because until clearly modifies "incurred".

In the second, before final action may modify account. i.e. the accounting must be completed before final action is allowed. Or it may mean the same as the first, that at/after final action, all costs preceding that action will need to be considered.

So use the first version, avoiding the ambiguity.

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