for how much

USAGE SUMMARY

"for how much" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to ask the price of something. Example: I want to buy this dress. Could you tell me for how much it is?.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

For how much, exactly?

The New Yorker

And for how much.

The New York Times

For how much longer?

The Economist

But for how much longer?

The New York Times - Arts

Q — For how much?

The New Yorker

Yet for how much longer, nobody knows.

The Economist

"Let's see for how much longer".

The New York Times

But, one wonders, for how much longer?

Independent

For how much longer, though?

The Guardian - Tech

"For how much?" Dorie shook her head.

The New York Times - Magazine

'You get all that for how much?

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, consider the speaker's tone and adjust the phrase accordingly. "How much is it?" is more casual than "For how much is this being offered?"

Common error

Avoid using "for how much" when referring to quantities or amounts that are not related to price. Instead of "for how much time", use "how long" or "for how long".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for how much" functions as an interrogative prepositional phrase used to inquire about the price or cost of something. It sets the stage for asking about the value in monetary terms. This is supported by Ludwig's examples which show its usage across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for how much" is a versatile phrase used to inquire about the cost or price of something. It's grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news, media and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves a clear interrogative function, suitable for both formal and informal settings. When using this phrase, remember to consider the context and avoid applying it to non-price-related quantities. Consider using alternatives like "how much does it cost?" or "what's the price?" for slight variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how much does it cost

This alternative is a more explicit way of asking about the price, adding emphasis on the cost.

how much is it

This is a shortened version that is commonly used in everyday conversation.

what is the price

This alternative directly asks for the price, focusing on the monetary value of the item or service.

how much will it be

This alternative anticipates a future cost, suitable when estimating expenses.

what does it cost

This alternative is a general way of asking the price, useful in many contexts.

what is the expense

This alternative is a more formal way of inquiring about the cost.

what's the charge

This alternative is more appropriate when asking for the fee or expense for a service.

at what cost

This alternative is more figurative, implying not just monetary cost but also other sacrifices or consequences.

what's the damage

This is a more informal, sometimes humorous way of asking the price, often used after a purchase.

what amount

This alternative is a concise, slightly formal way of asking for a specific sum or quantity.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "for how much" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you could use phrases like "what is the price of this item?" or "could you please state the cost?"

What's a casual alternative to "for how much"?

A casual alternative would be "how much is it?" or simply "how much?"

Is "for how much" interchangeable with "how much"?

While similar, "how much" is more direct. "For how much" can sometimes imply a broader context or lead-in to the question, but in most cases, "how much" is perfectly acceptable.

When should I use "how much" versus "how many"?

"How much" is used for uncountable nouns (like water or money), while "how many" is used for countable nouns (like apples or dollars). Always consider the noun you're quantifying.