cheaply

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "cheaply" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a manner in which something is done or acquired for a low cost. For example, "We bought a new television cheaply from a discount store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I decided AWS S3 would do, as you can store static files there cheaply and serve them over HTTP.

The Guardian

A responsible government would surely now redesign the application forms for opening a free school so that applicants' personal information isn't strewn all the way through it, and see to it that materials are redacted and released quickly and cheaply.

The Guardian

The film made $16m from a budget of just $1m and marked yet another cheaply made success story for Blumhouse, the production company behind The Boy Next Door (budget: $4m, global box office: $48m), Ouija (budget: $5m, global box office: $99m) and The Purge (budget: $3m, global box office: $89m).

The Guardian - Film

The bed, bathroom, toilet and TV come as a modular unit, the "cubi", which can be quickly and cheaply installed, creating minimal environmental impact and bringing new life to empty buildings.

The Guardian - Travel

The atmosphere of the whole place is pleasantly informal and conducive to rest and relaxation; but there's a busy pedestrianised shopping street just five minutes' walk away, where you can buy excellent local produce very cheaply, and cafés, where you can sit and watch authentic Italian pavement life.

The Guardian - Travel

Overall, the underlying feeling coming out of Australia's farewell match is that the performance was disjointed and the Socceroos gave the ball away too cheaply and too frequently.

The Guardian - Sport

Cooking can be done cheaply, she says, but it is more complicated than that.

The Guardian

1. Travel cheaply Get one third off fares with a 16-25 Railcard.

The Guardian - Money

This is mainly because Chanteloup is a cheaply built piece of 1960s brutalism, grafted on to the French countryside.

The Guardian - Film

Sixty quid is a lot to pay for any friendly when you can see most competitive football in this country much more cheaply, though it is the pre-season bit that is the dead giveaway.

The Guardian - Sport

Simple things can be delivered simply and cheaply, by nurses or healthcare assistants, in the community or online, and specialist services can be better targeted to those with more complex needs.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing business strategies, use "cheaply" to indicate cost-effective methods, for example, "source materials cheaply".

Common error

Avoid implying that something acquired "cheaply" is inherently of low quality; clarify that the low cost doesn't compromise standards.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "cheaply" primarily functions to modify verbs, indicating the manner in which an action is performed, specifically with regard to cost. It answers the question 'how?' related to the expense involved. Ludwig examples show it modifying verbs like 'store', 'installed', 'buy' and 'produce'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

17%

Travel

8%

Less common in

Sport

7%

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "cheaply" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is done or obtained at a low cost. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is frequently found in news and business contexts, with its primary function being to modify verbs and convey economic efficiency. While "cheaply" can sometimes carry a connotation of low quality, context is key to its interpretation. Alternatives such as "inexpensively" or "affordably" may be preferred in certain situations to avoid any negative implications. Being mindful of the potential for misinterpretation ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inexpensively

Direct synonym, focusing on the low cost without negative connotations.

at a low cost

Emphasizes the cost aspect directly, suitable for business or economic contexts.

economically

Highlights efficiency and avoidance of waste in terms of cost.

affordably

Suggests something is within one's budget or means.

at a bargain price

Implies getting something for less than its usual value.

for a pittance

Suggests a very small amount of money was spent.

on a shoestring budget

Highlights managing something with very limited financial resources.

thriftily

Emphasizes careful management of resources to minimize spending.

without much expense

Focuses on the lack of significant financial outlay.

for peanuts

An informal way of saying something was acquired for very little money.

FAQs

How can I use "cheaply" in a sentence?

You can use "cheaply" to describe how something is done or acquired at a low cost. For example, "They sell their products "cheaply" to increase market share."

What's a more formal alternative to "cheaply"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "inexpensively" or "economically".

Is there a negative connotation to using the word "cheaply"?

Sometimes "cheaply" can imply low quality, but this isn't always the case. Context is crucial. To avoid this, consider alternatives like "affordably" or "cost-effectively".

What's the difference between "cheaply" and "favourably"?

"Cheaply" refers specifically to low cost, while "favourably" means advantageously or with approval. They are not interchangeable.