cheaper than expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cheaper than expected" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing prices that are lower than what you anticipated. For example, "The new phone was cheaper than expected." Alternative expressions include "less expensive than anticipated" and "more affordable than predicted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In other exciting news for Samsung fans, the new phone could also end up being cheaper than expected - Chinese analyst Pan Jiutang predicted that Samsung would price the new phone around 10 per cent lower than the S6, in an effort to give the S7 a boost.

Independent

Last week, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a report (pdf) with what seemed like good news: the bailout of 2008 – which fronted $700bn in taxpayer funds to prop up the financial institutions that brought the economy to the brink – ended up cheaper than expected.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's also cheaper than expected.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Cheaper Than You Expected," and to his intelligence: "A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever" from Keats's "Endymion".

The New Yorker

The Bank of China, which is selling as much as $3.2 billion of shares in its Hong Kong unit, is offering them for a cheaper price than expected to attract investors concerned about bad loans.

The New York Times

Although reducing these emissions proved far cheaper and easier than expected, corporations continue to battle attempts to regulate their climate-altering activities, among other actions.

The Guardian

But recent analysis by the Congressional Budget Office suggests it'd be much cheaper to renew than expected, making it an easier sell for inclusion in any sort of upcoming funding deal.

Vice

Setting up the company was a lot cheaper than I expected.

The New York Times - Magazine

Instead, I won a player I wasn't previously targeting at a price $4-$4-$6eaper than I expected and saw a clear path to top-10 players being potentially undervalued.

The New York Times

Hopes it will now prove cheaper than previously expected sent the shares up 12.5p, or 9.75 per cent, to close at 140.75p, making it the biggest riser in the FTSE 100.

Independent

He says creating a shell company in Belize was "a lot cheaper than I expected," and notes that neither he nor his adviser "broke any law in Canada, Belize, Singapore or the United States".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cheaper than expected", ensure the context clearly establishes what the original expectation was. This provides a stronger sense of surprise and value for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "cheaper than expected" without clarifying whose expectation you are referring to. Be specific: is it the consumer's expectation, the company's projection, or an expert's forecast?

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cheaper than expected" primarily functions as a comparative phrase. It modifies a noun (implied or stated) by comparing its cost to a prior expectation. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically sound and readily understood.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cheaper than expected" is a common and grammatically correct comparative phrase used to express that something costs less than anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity. It's prevalent in news, science, and general contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity about whose expectations are being referenced. Consider more formal alternatives like "more affordable than anticipated" in professional settings. The high quality of sources suggests that this phrase is widely accepted and understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more affordable than anticipated

Replaces "cheaper" with a more formal synonym and "expected" with "anticipated".

less costly than foreseen

Substitutes "cheaper" and "expected" with more sophisticated vocabulary conveying a similar idea.

priced lower than predicted

Focuses on the pricing aspect, using "predicted" as a substitute for "expected".

a bargain beyond expectations

Emphasizes the unexpectedly good value of something.

more economical than anticipated

Uses "economical" as a substitute for "cheaper", suggesting a broader financial benefit.

cost less than projected

Replaces "expected" with "projected", emphasizing the financial forecast.

surprisingly inexpensive

Simplifies the phrase by focusing on the surprising element of the low price.

under budget

A concise idiom indicating that expenses were less than planned or expected.

a pleasant price surprise

Highlights the unexpected and positive nature of the low price.

a steal

An informal term to describe something available at a very low price.

FAQs

How can I use "cheaper than expected" in a sentence?

You can use "cheaper than expected" to describe a price point that is lower than what was anticipated. For example, "The repairs to the car were "cheaper than expected", which was a pleasant surprise".

What is a more formal alternative to "cheaper than expected"?

A more formal alternative would be "more affordable than anticipated" or "less costly than foreseen". These phrases offer a similar meaning but use more sophisticated vocabulary.

What does it mean when something is described as "cheaper than expected"?

It means the price of something turned out to be lower than what someone had originally anticipated or predicted. This can apply to products, services, or even larger financial contexts.

Is it appropriate to use "cheaper than expected" in professional writing?

Yes, it is acceptable to use "cheaper than expected" in professional writing, particularly when you want to convey that a price was surprisingly low. However, in more formal contexts, consider using a more refined alternative like "more economical than projected".