a bit costly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit costly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the price of an item or service that is somewhat expensive, but not excessively so. Example: "While the new smartphone has many features, I find it a bit costly compared to other models on the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

TechCrunch

Huffington Post

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

On this occasion I didn't and it proved a bit costly.

The Guardian - Sport

It's still a bit costly, but it's a great all-in-one that also produces excellent photos.

The New York Times - Tech

The device, a swiveling iPhone bracket that suctions to the face of your guitar, is a bit costly ($30 at guitarcenter.com), but the product comes from a company with a long line of guitar-friendly products, and Dunlop says the D65 won't damage common guitar finishes.

The New York Times

Just like the other services, on the surface PeachDish is a bit costly.

TechCrunch

The Everyday Bag is a bit costly with an average price just under $300.

TechCrunch

Though a bit costly, what Flic can do is invaluable to those of you with a big CD or DVD collection.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Some were a bit costlier: a bad oxygen sensor replaced at a cost of $272.

The New York Times

And the latest may have been a bit costlier than others.

The Washington Post

A score of free stages cater to families with wholesome shows of all genres, projecting a genial state fair vibe, as the headlining concerts veer a bit costlier and more niche.

The New York Times - Arts

Ostatua, 25 Rue Eglise, is more staid in atmosphere--heavy beams, white linen--and a bit costlier.

Los Angeles Times

This process can be a little bit costly... but it can be far more costly if it turns out you've been using someone else's property.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a bit costly", consider the audience and context. In formal writing, "slightly expensive" might be more appropriate, while in casual conversation, "a tad pricey" works well.

Common error

Avoid using "a bit costly" repeatedly in formal reports or academic papers. Vary your language by using alternatives such as "somewhat expensive" or "relatively dear" to maintain a professional tone and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit costly" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, describing something as being somewhat expensive. It softens the description, indicating the item or service is not excessively overpriced, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

TechCrunch

22%

Huffington Post

13%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

BBC

4%

The Economist

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a bit costly" is a useful way to describe something that is somewhat expensive but not excessively so. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suggests that it's most frequently used in news and media contexts. While perfectly acceptable, it might be better to use more formal alternatives like "slightly expensive" in professional settings. Remember to consider your audience and the context when choosing the most appropriate way to express the price of an item or service. Overusing it in formal contexts should be avoided to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly expensive

Replaces "a bit" with "slightly", emphasizing a small degree of expensiveness.

somewhat pricey

Substitutes both "a bit" and "costly" with synonyms, maintaining the overall meaning.

relatively dear

Uses "dear" as a more formal alternative to "costly", with "relatively" indicating a moderate level.

moderately high-priced

Replaces "costly" with a more descriptive phrase, suggesting a noticeable but not extreme price.

a tad expensive

Uses "a tad" which is a slightly more informal way of saying "a bit" which makes the expression more conversational.

a shade overpriced

Indicates the price is slightly higher than expected or justified.

not exactly cheap

Employs a double negative to imply that something is somewhat expensive.

on the higher side

More indirect, referring to the price range rather than direct cost.

carries a premium

Indicates a higher price due to perceived value or exclusivity.

approaching expensive

Suggests the price is nearing what would be considered truly expensive.

FAQs

What does "a bit costly" mean?

The phrase "a bit costly" means something is slightly expensive or priced higher than what might be considered average or ideal. It implies the cost is a consideration, but not necessarily a deterrent.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a bit costly"?

It's appropriate to use "a bit costly" in informal and neutral contexts when you want to express that something is somewhat expensive without being overly dramatic. For formal contexts, consider alternatives like "slightly expensive" or "somewhat pricey".

What are some alternatives to saying "a bit costly"?

You can use alternatives like "a little expensive", "somewhat pricey", or "slightly expensive" to express a similar sentiment.

Is there a difference between "a bit costly" and "very expensive"?

Yes, "a bit costly" suggests a moderate level of expensiveness, while "very expensive" indicates a significantly higher price. The former might be manageable, whereas the latter could be prohibitive.