an expensive one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an expensive one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an item or object that is costly, often in comparison to others. Example: "I decided to buy the car, even though it was an expensive one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's also an expensive one.

The New York Times

The trip will be an expensive one.

The New York Times

And don't buy a wreck, especially an expensive one.

The New York Times

The calamity that ensues is an expensive one.

The Guardian - Books

And that was a big move, an expensive one.

The Guardian - Film

The ditch was a bitch, an expensive one.

The Guardian - Travel

Borrowing remains an option, but an expensive one.

The New York Times

The race to succeed him will be an expensive one.

The New York Times

Indeed, they have become an embarrassment, and an expensive one at that.

The Economist

NHL President John Ziegler threatened to make the gag an expensive one, and Ballard gave in.

The Guardian - Sport

It's up to Gander to determine whether or not it's an expensive one.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an expensive one", ensure the context is clear so the reader understands what the 'one' refers to. For example, "I considered two laptops; I chose the cheaper one, as the other was an expensive one."

Common error

Avoid using "an expensive one" without clearly establishing what you are comparing it to. Without context, the reader won't know what makes it expensive or what the alternative is.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an expensive one" functions as a nominal phrase, where "expensive" modifies the pronoun "one". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. The pronoun "one" acts as a substitute for a previously mentioned noun, making the sentence more concise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

22%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an expensive one" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something as costly. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and prevalence across diverse contexts. It's particularly frequent in news and media, but also appears in more informal sources like wikis. When using this phrase, ensure the reference is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "a costly item" or "a high-priced option" may offer more specificity depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a costly item

Replaces 'one' with the noun 'item', emphasizing the object's price.

a high-priced option

Substitutes 'expensive' with 'high-priced' and 'one' with 'option', highlighting the cost of a choice.

a dear purchase

Uses 'dear' to mean expensive and 'purchase' to refer to something bought.

a premium selection

Focuses on the high quality and exclusivity often associated with expensive items.

a luxury investment

Highlights the investment aspect, implying long-term value despite the high cost.

a pricey endeavor

Replaces "one" with "endeavor", suggesting an activity or project that requires significant funding.

a substantial outlay

Emphasizes the amount of money spent, rather than the inherent expensiveness.

a budget breaker

Indicates that the item exceeds the planned budget.

an extravagant choice

Highlights the excessive or unnecessary nature of the expense.

a top-tier offering

Focuses on the high quality and status associated with the expensive item or service.

FAQs

How can I use "an expensive one" in a sentence?

You can use "an expensive one" to refer to a costly item or option, as in "The first edition book was "an expensive one", so I opted for the reprint".

What are some alternatives to saying "an expensive one"?

Some alternatives include "a costly item", "a high-priced option", or "a premium selection" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "an expensive one"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. The phrase uses "expensive" as an adjective modifying the pronoun "one", which refers back to a previously mentioned noun.

What's the difference between "an expensive one" and "a cheap one"?

"An expensive one" refers to something that costs a lot of money, while "a cheap one" refers to something that doesn't cost much. The phrases are direct antonyms.