at a premium

USAGE SUMMARY

"at a premium" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to describe something that is very expensive or hard to get. For example, "Real estate in this area is at a premium."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Privacy was at a premium.

The New York Times

Accuracy is now at a premium.

Independent

It now trades at a premium.

Independent

Ratos now trades at a premium.

The Economist

So exhibition space is at a premium.

The New York Times - Arts

Rehearsal time is at a premium.

The New York Times

Those pressings come at a premium, though.

The New York Times - Tech

The price is at a premium.

The New York Times

At a premium price.

The New York Times

Space is at a premium.

Stanford University

They are at a premium.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at a premium", ensure the context clearly indicates what is scarce or highly valued. For example, instead of just saying "time is at a premium", specify the situation: "During the project's final week, time is at a premium."

Common error

Avoid using "at a premium" to describe something that is simply expensive without also implying scarcity or high demand. While a luxury item might be costly, it's only "at a premium" if its availability is limited or highly sought after.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a premium" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it is scarce, highly valued, or expensive. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "at a premium" describes the state of various resources or commodities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

22%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a premium" is a versatile expression used to describe something that is scarce, highly valued, or commands a high price. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It is commonly found in news articles, academic texts, and professional settings. The phrase functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing limited availability or high worth. While alternatives like "scarce" or ""in high demand"" exist, "at a premium" uniquely conveys both the scarcity and the associated value. Remember to use it when you want to highlight that something is not only valuable but also difficult to obtain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a high price

This is a more literal alternative, directly stating the elevated cost.

in high demand

This alternative focuses on the demand aspect, highlighting that many people want it, making it valuable.

highly valued

This emphasizes the perceived worth or importance of something.

scarce

This highlights the limited availability of the item or resource.

in short supply

Similar to "scarce", this emphasizes the limited quantity available.

expensive

This directly relates to the high cost associated with something "at a premium".

costly

A synonym for expensive, highlighting the financial aspect.

hard to come by

This emphasizes the difficulty in obtaining or acquiring something.

rare

This highlights the uncommon nature of something.

much sought after

This emphasizes the desire or longing for something by many.

FAQs

How can I use "at a premium" in a sentence?

You can use "at a premium" to describe something that is scarce, highly valued, or commands a high price due to its limited availability or desirability. For instance, "With the conference drawing near, presentation slots are "in high demand", making preparation time "at a high price".

What are some alternatives to "at a premium"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like ""in high demand"", "scarce", "expensive", or "highly valued" instead of "at a premium".

Is it correct to say "at premium" without the 'a'?

No, the correct and idiomatic expression is "at a premium". Omitting the article 'a' changes the meaning and grammatical structure, making it sound unnatural.

What's the difference between "at a premium" and "premium" as an adjective?

"At a premium" describes a state of scarcity or high value. "Premium" as an adjective (e.g., "premium quality") describes superior quality or a higher grade. For example, "Organic coffee beans are highly valued and often sold "at a premium", while a car might offer "premium" features." Both usages, while related in conveying value, have distinct meanings.