expensive bill

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "expensive bill" is correct and often used in written English.
You can use it when describing a bill or invoice that is high in cost or price. For example: - "The restaurant meal was delicious, but the expensive bill left us with a bit of sticker shock." - "I received the expensive bill for my car repairs and had to dip into my savings to cover it." - "After the luxury vacation, we were expecting an expensive bill, but it turned out to be more affordable than we thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The government's inadequate reforms are putting an expensive bill in the post for taxpayers.

The Economist

The Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said Americans did not want an expensive bill.

The New York Times - Health

The net result is an expensive bill that perpetuates the old inequities.

The New York Times

Sometimes there is a distinct hangover and an expensive bill too.

The Guardian

Later that year, he supported a less expensive bill that included a pay increase of the same size.

The New York Times

"What the nation gets is a very expensive bill, less security and a greater risk to the surrounding communities".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

President Barack Obama hinted that there could be a second economic stimulus package yesterday, hours before he signed into law one of the most expensive bills in US history.

The Guardian - Business

Your kids could thus have a fingerprint to unlock your phone, but not to buy apps, videos and music, which could save you from some very expensive bills.

The Guardian - Tech

Lippman said investment in problem-solving courts, which involve judges spending longer on each offender, would save money overall by reducing the more expensive bills incurred by keeping inmates locked up.

The Guardian

Now there is the likelihood that health reform, like the climate-change bill, will be deferred until the autumn, when fears about the deficit will have grown and the two expensive bills could combine to spook voters.What should Mr Obama do?

The Economist

Moreover, most people don't want to see expensive bills again on their bank statements.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize the unexpected nature of the cost, you can precede "expensive bill" with adjectives like "surprisingly" or "unusually".

Common error

Avoid using "expensive bill" when the cost is inherently high or predictable. For instance, it's less impactful to say "expensive bill for a luxury car repair" since luxury cars are generally known for high maintenance costs. Instead, consider using it for unexpected costs or unusually high charges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expensive bill" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "expensive" modifies the noun "bill". This is frequently used to describe an invoice or statement of charges that is considered costly. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expensive bill" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a charge or invoice considered to be high in cost. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "costly invoice" or "hefty charge" exist, "expensive bill" is a straightforward and readily understood way to convey the concept of a high cost. When using the phrase, it's helpful to consider whether the cost is truly unexpected or surprisingly high, as overuse in predictable situations can diminish its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

costly invoice

Replaces "bill" with "invoice", emphasizing the formal document aspect of the expense.

hefty charge

Substitutes "expensive" with "hefty" and "bill" with "charge", conveying a substantial amount.

exorbitant fee

Uses "exorbitant" to highlight the excessive nature of the cost, with "fee" as a common alternative to "bill".

high price tag

Emphasizes the cost associated with a product or service, moving away from the billing context.

large expenditure

Focuses on the spending aspect rather than the specific invoice, using a more formal term.

substantial payment

Highlights the act of paying a significant amount, altering the focus from the bill itself.

premium cost

Implies a higher quality or exclusive service leading to an elevated price.

significant debt

Shifts the focus to the financial obligation resulting from the expense.

considerable expense

Uses "considerable" to emphasize the substantial nature of the expense, a more formal phrasing.

sizeable account

Refers to the financial record reflecting the high cost, differing slightly from the direct concept of a "bill".

FAQs

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

You can use "expensive bill" to describe an unexpectedly high charge or cost. For example, "After the surgery, I received an "expensive bill" from the hospital".

What are some alternatives to "expensive bill"?

Alternatives include "costly invoice", "hefty charge", or "exorbitant fee", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "expensive bill"?

Yes, "expensive bill" is grammatically correct. "Expensive" is an adjective modifying the noun "bill".

What's the difference between "expensive bill" and "pricey bill"?

"Expensive bill" and "pricey bill" are largely interchangeable. "Pricey" might be considered slightly more informal than "expensive".