for around a dollar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for around a dollar" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the approximate cost of an item or service, indicating that it is priced near one dollar. Example: "You can buy a bottle of water for around a dollar at the convenience store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Consequently, piracy remains rampant, and many copied games can be purchased for around a dollar.

The New Yorker

This means that you can 'purchase' and entire album for around a dollar.

TechCrunch

Amazon and other online retailers always have HDMI cables for around a dollar so buy up a crapton of those and start stuffing them in with Blu-ray players.

TechCrunch

You can buy them for around a dollar in most stores.

WikiHow

If you live near a store that sells foreign sodas you might be able to buy the sodas for around a dollar or so and double or even triple your money.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

A bottle of top-shelf twelve-year-old bourbon sells for around a hundred dollars.

The New Yorker

You can get a decent metronome/tuner for around 40 dollars at a music store, or you can pay more for a fancier one.

WikiHow

For around six dollars, a customer can obtain the Earl's Club, the Full Montagu, or the Original 1762: roast beef, Cheddar, and horseradish sauce.

The New Yorker

But to understand why Bove's take might make sense, consider this fact: you could, at this moment, buy all of Citigroup — the entire company — for around four dollars a share, or twenty-two billion dollars.

The New Yorker

The stock market had begun its long slide, but Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia was still thriving, its shares selling for around eighteen dollars — down, however, from a high of thirty-seven.

The New Yorker

If you're just learning how to play, go to your local sporting goods store, and you can find a basic stick for around 30 dollars.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for around a dollar", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are providing an approximate price, not an exact one. This is especially useful when listing multiple items with slightly varying prices.

Common error

Avoid using "for around a dollar" when you know the exact price. If the item costs precisely one dollar, simply state "for a dollar" to avoid misleading the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for around a dollar" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, typically indicating the approximate cost or price of something. It specifies the monetary value associated with an action or object, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for around a dollar" serves as an adverbial phrase used to indicate an approximate price. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for neutral to informal contexts. While not as common as other price indicators, it effectively conveys a general sense of cost. The primary contexts for its usage are News & Media and Wiki, with a few examples in other categories. When aiming for precision, consider alternatives like "for a dollar" or "at about a dollar", as this phrase specifically implies estimation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at about a dollar

Replaces "around" with "about", indicating a similar approximation.

for roughly a dollar

Substitutes "around" with "roughly", indicating an estimated price.

at a price of about one dollar

Specifies "one dollar" and uses "about" for approximation.

costing approximately a dollar

Replaces the prepositional phrase with a verb phrase.

priced near a dollar

Focuses on the pricing aspect using "near" as an approximation.

in the vicinity of a dollar

Uses more formal language to convey a similar price range.

for something like a dollar

Uses informal language to indicate an approximate price.

close to a dollar in price

Rearranges the sentence structure, emphasizing the price.

in the neighborhood of a dollar

Uses a more idiomatic expression to suggest a price close to a dollar.

in the one-dollar range

Expresses the price as a range centered around one dollar.

FAQs

How can I use "for around a dollar" in a sentence?

You can use "for around a dollar" to indicate an approximate price. For example, "You can often find used books "for around a dollar" at the library sale".

What can I say instead of "for around a dollar"?

Alternatives include "at about a dollar", "for roughly a dollar", or "costing approximately a dollar", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "for around a dollar" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "for around a dollar" is generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "in the vicinity of a dollar" or "at a price of about one dollar".

What's the difference between "for a dollar" and "for around a dollar"?

"For a dollar" indicates an exact price, while ""for around a dollar"" suggests an approximate or estimated price near one dollar.