fairly expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

"fairly expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this term to describe something that is not extremely expensive, but not especially cheap either. For example: "These tickets to the concert are fairly expensive, but I think they will be worth it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Some funds are fairly expensive.

The New York Times

But it is fairly expensive, with little under $60.

The New York Times - Food

"Even little things are fairly expensive," he said.

The New York Times

He continues to take fairly expensive ski trips.

The New York Times

Creating a high-quality video is fairly expensive.

The New York Times - Tech

"It would be fairly expensive if I wanted to fight it," Hesch said.

The New York Times - Sports

Fairly expensive equipment and sophisticated procedures, however, are required for such determinations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yet wine, which is fairly expensive, will be affected less than other drinks.

The Economist

However, these printed pressure sensors are actually fairly expensive for our purposes.

The New York Times - Health

The second problem is that real estate and stocks remain fairly expensive.

The New York Times

At a list price of $60, that toy is also fairly expensive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fairly expensive", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the price relative to alternatives. For instance, specify what the item is expensive for, such as "fairly expensive for a student budget".

Common error

Avoid using "fairly expensive" when something is, in fact, very expensive. Using it in such cases can mislead the audience and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly expensive" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase, describing the degree to which something costs. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

23%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly expensive" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that describes something that is more costly than average but not extremely so. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for various contexts, as demonstrated by the numerous examples from news sources, encyclopedias, and online guides. When using this term, consider specifying what makes the item expensive in relation to other options. It's a valuable tool for nuanced cost descriptions, offering a middle ground between "expensive" and "cheap".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately pricey

Replaces "expensive" with "pricey" and "fairly" with "moderately", indicating a similar level of cost.

somewhat costly

Uses "costly" instead of "expensive" and "somewhat" in place of "fairly", suggesting a slightly elevated price.

relatively high-priced

Employs "high-priced" and "relatively" to convey a similar meaning, focusing on the price point.

not particularly cheap

Expresses the idea by negating cheapness, implying it's somewhat expensive.

on the pricier side

Idiomatic expression indicating that something is more expensive than average.

a bit steep

Uses "steep" to describe the price, implying it's higher than expected.

reasonably expensive

Replaces "fairly" with "reasonably", indicating a similar level of cost but suggesting justification.

kind of dear

Uses "dear" as a synonym for expensive, with "kind of" softening the statement.

quite costly

Employs "costly" instead of "expensive" and "quite" in place of "fairly", strengthening the level of cost.

appreciably expensive

Uses "appreciably" to emphasize the expense, making it more noticeable.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly expensive" to describe something that costs more than average, but is not extremely costly. For instance, "The restaurant was good, but "fairly expensive"".

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

Alternatives include "moderately pricey", "somewhat costly", or "relatively high-priced", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "fairly expensive" in formal writing?

Yes, "fairly expensive" is appropriate in formal writing. It provides a neutral way to describe the cost of something without exaggeration, unlike more informal terms.

What is the difference between "fairly expensive" and "very expensive"?

"Fairly expensive" indicates that something is somewhat costly, while "very expensive" suggests a significantly higher price. Use "fairly expensive" when you want to downplay the cost relative to "very expensive".