expensive situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expensive situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a scenario that incurs high costs or financial burdens. Example: "The company found itself in an expensive situation after the unexpected equipment failure required immediate replacement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"He decided to stop consulting for the rest of the year, and he said, 'If I hadn't come to see you, this could have been a pretty expensive situation.' " "Yes," Dr. Abate said the other day, "there are unfortunate consequences for people who make some money".

The New York Times

The other worry is the budget deficit: America's biggest entitlement programs will begin to kick in, while the abolition of Obamacare could yet lead to an even more expensive situation.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

EHIC has also never covered medical evacuation by air ambulance nor repatriation of a deceased relative from abroad, so you should always have backup travel insurance anyway to cover these very sad but also very expensive situations.

The Guardian

So here goes: the best way to avoid embarrassing and expensive situations involving private detectives is to live a life of rectitude.

Forbes

But every expensive financing situation should have a plan and a path forward.

The New York Times

It is an expensive humanitarian situation to run because waterways are difficult to use – there's the Nile but that's it.

The Guardian

However, if achieving these sustainable practices remains prohibitively expensive, a situation similar to the outcome of the FHA policy could evolve.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Always read the fine print to ensure that you aren't getting tricked into a more expensive payment situation.

WikiHow

Because Obamacare requires insurers to cover all comers -- and does away with caps on those with catastrophically expensive medical situations -- it is funded by mandated participation by almost everyone, either directly or through employers.

Huffington Post

Reopening Fresh Kills is not a cure-all for our disastrously expensive waste management situation.

The New York Times

To save the situation, expensive cranes have been installed at the border station of Sarakhs to transfer cargoes to Iranian rolling stock.Iranian Islamic Republic Railways plans to treble its 7,740-kilometre 7,740-kilometre the yearail20.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expensive situation", clearly specify what makes the situation expensive. Providing context helps the reader understand the financial implications involved.

Common error

Avoid using "expensive situation" as a vague descriptor. Replace it with more specific language that details the actual costs and consequences involved. For example, instead of saying "the project turned into an expensive situation", say "the project's budget doubled due to unforeseen material costs".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expensive situation" functions as a noun phrase, where "expensive" modifies the noun "situation". It is used to describe a scenario characterized by high costs. Ludwig examples show its usage in various contexts, indicating a situation that leads to significant expenditures.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expensive situation" describes a scenario involving high costs or financial strain. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not extremely common, the phrase appears in various contexts, including news, scientific articles, and general writing. For increased specificity, it's advisable to provide details about what makes the situation expensive. Alternatives like "costly predicament" or "pricey dilemma" can offer nuanced ways to express similar meanings. Overall, "expensive situation" is a clear and acceptable way to convey that a particular circumstance carries significant financial implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

costly predicament

Emphasizes the challenging and problematic nature of the situation due to its cost.

pricey dilemma

Highlights the problematic choice or issue caused by high prices.

financially draining event

Focuses on the financial burden the situation imposes.

high-priced circumstance

Directly points to the high cost associated with the circumstance.

economically challenging scenario

Indicates the economic difficulties presented by the scenario.

unaffordable circumstance

Highlights the issue of being unable to afford the expense.

cost-intensive affair

Suggests that the situation demands significant financial resources.

resource-consuming problem

Emphasizes the problem is draining away financial resources.

financially burdensome state

Focuses on the heavy financial load of the circumstance.

monetarily demanding case

Highlights the fact that the case requires significant funding.

FAQs

What does "expensive situation" mean?

An "expensive situation" refers to a scenario or circumstance that incurs high costs, substantial financial burdens or significant expenditures.

What can I say instead of "expensive situation"?

You can use alternatives like "costly predicament", "pricey dilemma", or "financially draining event" depending on the context.

How can I avoid making the phrase "expensive situation" too vague?

Provide specific details about what makes the situation costly. Instead of stating "it was an expensive situation", specify "the repairs resulted in a $5000 bill" or "the project's budget doubled unexpectedly".

Is it correct to use "expensive situation" in formal writing?

Yes, "expensive situation" is appropriate for various contexts, including formal writing. However, consider using more precise alternatives like "high-priced circumstance" or "economically challenging scenario" in highly formal settings to add nuance and detail.