disproportionately expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disproportionately expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that costs significantly more than what is considered reasonable or typical in comparison to other items or services. Example: "The new software is disproportionately expensive compared to similar products on the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Collapsible-stock models have become disproportionately expensive.

The New York Times

This isn't fanciful, or difficult, or disproportionately expensive.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the retailer can refuse if they can show that your choice is disproportionately expensive compared with the alternative.

The Guardian - Money

The Cape May scallops, at $32, were disproportionately expensive; although the scallops themselves were succulent and tender, the parsnip purée beneath them was sticky, and there was no relief from the sweetness on the plate.

The New York Times

Applying to the court should be a last option because it is difficult to demonstrate evidence to suggest anything other than a joint tenancy and can be disproportionately expensive.

The Guardian - Money

The protesters have become organised, rallying behind a series of common grievances, focused on dissatisfaction with the entire political class and Bosnia's cumbersome, dysfunctional and disproportionately expensive government structure.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

And it's the newest vaccines which are disproportionately more expensive: the pneumonia and diarrhea vaccines account for more than 70percentt of the total cost of the vaccines package.

Huffington Post

This unequal spread of resources might be a reflection that basic and clinical research in the Type I diseases is disproportionately more expensive than that for the Type II area.

Health Research Policy and Systems

But if healthy people do not buy coverage in 2014, insured patients will be disproportionately ill and expensive.

The Economist

In contrast, defining a universe and then randomly selecting and interviewing a probability sample from a large population can be time-consuming and expensive (often disproportionately so).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The law is expected to disproportionately impact high-tax, expensive states like California because of caps on the state and local tax and mortgage interest deductions, although much of that won't be felt until the next tax year — after the midterms.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disproportionately expensive", ensure you provide a clear comparison point to justify the claim. For example, specify what the item or service is expensive compared to (e.g., "disproportionately expensive compared to its benefits").

Common error

Avoid using "disproportionately expensive" without providing context. Saying something is "disproportionately expensive" is less impactful if you don't clarify what it's being compared to or why the cost is considered disproportionate. Always provide a clear reference point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disproportionately expensive" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun. It indicates that something's cost is excessively high relative to its value, benefits, or comparable alternatives. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to express that the price doesn't align with what's expected or reasonable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "disproportionately expensive" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for describing situations where the cost of something seems excessive compared to its value or alternatives. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a valid and clear way to convey concerns about pricing. While not exceptionally common, the phrase appears across varied sources, including news outlets and academic papers. When using this phrase, providing context and comparison points enhances clarity and impact. Alternatives like "unreasonably expensive" or "prohibitively expensive" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unreasonably expensive

Highlights the unfair or unjustifiable nature of the high cost.

unduly expensive

Emphasizes that the cost is more than what is appropriate or justifiable.

prohibitively expensive

Indicates that the cost is so high as to prevent purchase or use.

excessively costly

Focuses on the surplus or over-the-top aspect of the expense.

inordinately pricey

Stresses that something is unusually or excessively expensive.

overpriced

A simpler term meaning priced too high.

unjustifiably high cost

Highlights the lack of a good reason for the high price.

exorbitantly priced

Indicates an extremely high and often unfair price.

outrageously expensive

Emphasizes the shocking or unacceptable nature of the high cost.

unacceptably expensive

Highlights that the cost is so high as to be not tolerable.

FAQs

How can I use "disproportionately expensive" in a sentence?

You can use "disproportionately expensive" to describe something that costs much more than its perceived value or in comparison to similar items. For instance, "The repairs were "disproportionately expensive" considering the age of the car."

What's a good alternative to "disproportionately expensive"?

Alternatives include "unreasonably expensive", "excessively costly", or "prohibitively expensive", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "disproportionately cheap"?

While grammatically correct, "disproportionately cheap" is less common. It implies something is surprisingly inexpensive compared to its perceived value or other items. A more common phrasing might be "surprisingly affordable" or "remarkably inexpensive."

What makes something "disproportionately expensive" as opposed to simply "expensive"?

"Expensive" simply indicates a high cost. "Disproportionately expensive" suggests the cost is not justified by the value, quality, or other relevant factors when compared to something else. It highlights an imbalance between cost and worth.