a hefty price

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hefty price" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is expensive or costly, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The new smartphone comes with a hefty price, but its advanced features make it worth the investment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it comes at a hefty price.

The New York Times

But he extracted a hefty price.

The New York Times

All at a hefty price.

The New York Times

Both come with a hefty price tag.

The Guardian

Want to land talented workers without paying a hefty price?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This top-shelf service, however, comes at a hefty price.

The New York Times

When you default, they will pay a hefty price.

The New York Times

We all may pay a hefty price for your "savings".

The New York Times

Such trinkets, however, come with a hefty price tag.

The Economist

Serve in gilded frame accompanied by a hefty price tag.

The New York Times

Wearables certainly come with a hefty price tag.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a hefty price" to clearly communicate that something is not only expensive but also implies that the cost might be unexpectedly high or difficult to manage. For instance, "While the benefits are clear, implementing the new system comes at "a hefty price".

Common error

Avoid using "a hefty price" when you actually want to emphasize the value received in relation to the cost. If the cost is high but justified by the benefits, focus on the "value" rather than simply the "price".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hefty price" functions primarily as a noun phrase that acts as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It signifies the significant cost associated with something, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a hefty price" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something comes with a significant cost or consequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to emphasize that the cost is considerable, perhaps even surprisingly so. It appears most frequently in "News & Media" and academic contexts, reflecting its usefulness in both reporting on significant expenses and analyzing their impact. While alternatives like "a substantial cost" or "a steep cost" exist, "a hefty price" conveys a particular sense of weightiness or burden. Therefore, when the intention is to highlight a considerable expense or significant consequence, "a hefty price" is a fitting choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial cost

Replaces "price" with "cost", emphasizing the financial burden.

a considerable expense

Substitutes "price" with "expense", highlighting the money spent.

a steep cost

Emphasizes the high nature of the cost, similar to "hefty".

a significant investment

Focuses on the aspect of investing, implying a large sum is required.

a high premium

Uses "premium" to specify a payment above the standard cost.

a significant sacrifice

Shifts the focus to the sacrifices made, rather than monetary cost.

serious repercussions

Moves away from financial cost to consequences, indicating a severe outcome.

comes at a premium

Changes the structure to emphasize that something is offered only for a high cost.

involves a major outlay

Highlights the expenditure aspect, implying a considerable amount of money is spent.

carries a large fee

Emphasizes the monetary charge associated with something.

FAQs

How can I use "a hefty price" in a sentence?

You can use "a hefty price" to describe something that is expensive or has significant consequences. For example, "The peace of mind came at "a hefty price"".

What can I say instead of "a hefty price"?

Alternatives include "a substantial cost", "a steep cost", or "a considerable expense", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a hefty price tag"?

Yes, "a hefty price tag" is a common and acceptable variation of "a hefty price", often used to refer to the monetary cost of an item or service.

What's the difference between "a hefty price" and "a high price"?

"A high price" simply indicates that something is expensive. "A hefty price", however, suggests that the price is surprisingly or excessively high, or that it involves more than just money, like effort or sacrifice.