costlier than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "costlier than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the price of one item to another, indicating that one is more expensive. Example: "The new smartphone is costlier than the previous model."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Court cases might be costlier than settlements.

The Economist

Like enriched uranium, hypocrisy can be costlier than it seems.

The Economist

Containing violence there could be costlier than Serbian membership.

The New York Times

The storm is costlier than the estimated bill reflects.

The Economist

These are typically more difficult and costlier than purely national mergers.

Columbia University

Deemed expensive at the time, the deal proved costlier than anyone imagined.

The Economist

Moreover, a complete withdrawal from Afghanistan could be far costlier than it was in Iraq.

The New York Times

However, some forms of whole breast irradiation are costlier than that.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

United Healths costlier-than-average enrollees aren's going away.

Forbes

"Defensive Medicine May Be Costlier Than It Seems". Wall Street Journal, February 7 , 2013

Harvard University

Latinos are especially fond of dogs, which are costlier than cats, but superior in every respect.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing costs, be specific about what you are comparing. Instead of just saying something is "costlier than" something else, quantify the difference if possible for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "costlier than" without providing context or a clear point of comparison. For example, don't just say "Healthcare is costlier", specify "Healthcare in the US is "costlier than" in Canada".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "costlier than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It serves to compare the relative expense of two or more items, actions, or concepts. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it's used to express that one thing has a higher cost compared to another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

22%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "costlier than" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed comparative phrase used to indicate that one item or action has a higher price compared to another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, from news and media to science and academia. While alternatives like "more expensive than" exist, "costlier than" provides a slightly less formal option. When using this phrase, ensure that the comparison is clear and specific to avoid overgeneralizations. Its prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist underscores its reliability and acceptance in professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more expensive than

Replaces "costlier" with a more common synonym.

at a higher price than

Specifies that the cost difference is related to the price.

carries a higher cost than

Emphasizes the action of incurring a cost.

more valuable than it costs

Indicates an imbalance between cost and value.

demands a higher investment than

Implies a long-term financial commitment.

comes with a steeper price tag than

Uses a more descriptive and informal way to express the cost.

incurs greater expenses than

Focuses on the expenses that are being made.

has a larger financial burden than

Highlights the financial weight.

represents a greater outlay than

Emphasizes the expenditure of money.

requires more capital than

Focuses on the amount of capital needed.

FAQs

How can I use "costlier than" in a sentence?

Use "costlier than" when comparing the price of two items or services. For example, "Organic produce is often "costlier than" conventionally grown produce".

What is a more formal alternative to "costlier than"?

In formal writing, consider using "more expensive than" or "higher in cost than" as alternatives to ""costlier than"".

Is it correct to say "more costlier than"?

No, "more costlier than" is redundant. "Costlier" already implies a comparison, so use ""costlier than"" or "more expensive than" instead.

What's the difference between "costlier than" and "cheaper than"?

"Costlier than" indicates something has a higher price, while "cheaper than" indicates something has a lower price. They are opposite comparisons.