expensive experiment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expensive experiment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a scientific or practical test that incurs a high cost. Example: "The researchers conducted an expensive experiment to test the new drug's effectiveness, which required significant funding and resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

It was an expensive experiment.

The Guardian - Business

Glass has been an expensive experiment for Google.

The Guardian - Tech

The most famous (and expensive) experiment was America's Airborne Laser Test Bed.

The Economist

A guest had provoked the expensive experiment by telling the duke that bananas were only really worth eating when fresh.

The Guardian

Something is seriously wrong in policy if £64.6m is spent and six months later the outlay becomes a failed – and expensive – experiment.

The Guardian - Sport

With a price tag ranging from $1,500 to $2,500 for a CPAP machine, that can be an expensive experiment, especially for uninsured patients.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

For now, big-network news executives like Mr. Heyward seem satisfied to sit back and monitor expensive experiments like Mr. Klein's.

The New York Times

The authors have reached their findings after a series of elaborate and expensive experiments, and the book's description of these is tedious enough to convince us that they are scientifically sound.

The New Yorker

They argue that his conclusions about the stupendous returns to early education are mostly based on a limited number of expensive experiments in the 1960s and 1970s that provided rich early education and care to limited numbers of disadvantaged children.

The New York Times

And while he did, for the first time, specifically suggest dunes or levees as protective measures worth exploring, he again dismissed the use of expensive experiments like sea gates stretching across New York Harbor.

The New York Times

About 15 years ago it began hosting one of the most expensive experiments ever conducted, and the construction of the Large Hadron Collider – the incredibly complex piece of kit built by the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (Cern) from 1998 to 2008 – eventually confirmed the existence of the long-sought Higgs boson.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using this phrase to highlight situations where the cost outweighs the benefits or when questioning the value of the investment.

Common error

Avoid using "expensive experiment" without providing context about why it's costly. Detail the specific resources or factors contributing to the high price to enhance clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expensive experiment" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "expensive" modifies the noun "experiment". Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and frequently used to describe projects or tests involving substantial financial outlay.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expensive experiment" is a commonly used phrase to describe a trial, project or initiative involving considerable financial investment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and versatile, applicable in various contexts from News & Media to Science. While generally neutral in tone, it often implies skepticism about the value of the investment. Consider alternatives like "costly undertaking" or "high-priced trial" for nuanced meaning. Remember to contextualize the expense when using this phrase, and avoid overstating the cost without providing specific details.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

costly undertaking

Emphasizes the financial burden and effort involved.

high-priced trial

Highlights the monetary value associated with a test or trial.

financially demanding study

Focuses on the economic resources required for a research investigation.

resource-intensive project

Indicates that the project consumes a lot of resources, including money.

pricey venture

Suggests a potentially risky but expensive business activity.

lavish exploration

Highlights the grand scale and cost of an exploratory activity.

big-budget endeavor

Specifies the allocation of a large sum of money for a particular effort.

capital-intensive activity

Indicates that the activity requires a significant amount of capital investment.

dear undertaking

A more archaic phrasing emphasizing the high cost or value.

wasteful trial

Highlights experiments that end up wasting money.

FAQs

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

You can use "expensive experiment" to describe a costly project or trial, like: "The company considered the project an "expensive experiment" to test the market's reaction."

What's a less formal alternative to "expensive experiment"?

If you're looking for a less formal alternative, you could say "costly trial" or "pricey venture" depending on the specific context.

Which is more appropriate: "expensive experiment" or "costly experiment"?

Both "expensive experiment" and "costly experiment" are acceptable. The choice often depends on personal preference, although "expensive" might imply a higher degree of luxury or unnecessary spending.

When should I use "expensive experiment" instead of "expensive project"?

"Expensive experiment" is best used when referring to a test or trial with uncertain outcomes, where the cost is a significant factor. "Expensive project" is more general and can apply to any high-cost undertaking.