be much less costly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be much less costly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing costs and indicating that something will be significantly cheaper than another option. Example: "Switching to renewable energy sources will be much less costly in the long run compared to fossil fuels."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

House Republicans were drafting an alternative, which they said would be much less costly.

The New York Times - Health

This "middle way" would be much less costly and could prove to be the most rational decision.

The Guardian - Opinion

We have a plan that would be much less costly than buyouts and more comprehensive than a moratorium.

The New York Times

People don't realize that agreeing to eurobonds would be much less costly than doing only the minimum to preserve the euro.

The Guardian - Business

Those exams, Mr. Packer said, were devised to be much less costly because they are given via computer, unlike the paper-and-pencil Italian exam.

The New York Times

As Paul Starr argued recently in the American Prospect, when President Harry Truman proposed universal health insurance, healthcare costs were only 4% of GDP; had the US gotten single payer then, healthcare would be much less costly today.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Crunching data from satellites is much less costly.

The Economist

The younger age groups are healthier, and their care is much less costly.

The New York Times

That is much less costly and less risky than building an entirely new plane like the A380.

The New York Times

The academics said there were "much less costly and environmentally damaging" ways of boosting capacity on the rail network.

The Guardian

But the double of five dia monds was much less costly than the double of four spades.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing options, use "be much less costly" to clearly indicate a significant price difference, enhancing clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "cheap" as a direct substitute for "less costly" in formal contexts. While both indicate lower expenses, "less costly" maintains a more professional and neutral tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be much less costly" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something as having a significantly lower price or expense compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be much less costly" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for comparing prices or expenses. While Ludwig AI indicates its usage is correct, this analysis reveals it's relatively rare. Its function is to describe a significant difference in cost, often with the purpose of informing or persuading. The register is generally neutral to professional, making it suitable for a variety of contexts, including news, science and academia. When looking for related phrases, consider alternatives like "be significantly cheaper" or "entail a lower expenditure" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be significantly cheaper

Emphasizes the extent of the cost reduction, implying a notable difference in price.

be considerably more affordable

Focuses on the increased affordability resulting from the lower cost.

be more cost-effective

Highlights efficiency in relation to cost.

represent a significant saving

Highlights the act of saving money as a result of choosing a cheaper option.

entail a lower expenditure

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe the reduced spending involved.

prove to be more economical

Focuses on the long-term economic benefits of choosing the less costly option.

incur fewer expenses

Highlights the reduction of spending amount.

offer a better value proposition

Highlights improved value for the money spent.

be a more budget-friendly option

Emphasizes that the option aligns well with a limited budget.

minimize financial outlay

Focuses on minimizing the amount of money spent.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be much less costly" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "entail a lower expenditure" or "prove to be more economical".

What's a simple alternative to "be much less costly"?

A simpler alternative is "be significantly cheaper" which conveys the same meaning in a less formal way.

How does "be much less costly" compare to "be more cost-effective"?

"Be much less costly" directly refers to a lower price, whereas "be more cost-effective" implies a better balance between cost and benefit. Cost-effective highlights that the benefits are greater than the costs.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "be much less costly"?

Use "be much less costly" when comparing two options where one has a significantly lower price. This is suitable in business proposals, academic papers, or general discussions about affordability.