harsh price

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harsh price" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a cost that is considered severe or difficult to bear, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The harsh price of success often includes long hours and personal sacrifices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The main barrier is the harsh price most workers pay for pursuing anything other than the old-fashioned career path.

The New York Times

The former head of the British army said the murder of hostages such as Henning was "part of the harsh price" to be paid in confronting Isis.

The Guardian

Looking back from his socialist perspective, he sees the coup as the harsh price that Allende and his supporters paid for daring to dream.The truth about the Pinochet dictatorship's human-rights violations has trickled out only slowly over the past 13 years.

The Economist

Lord Dannatt, who stepped down in 2009, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Saturday: "Our government is now standing up to its responsibilities, and part of the harsh price, while this takes time, is that sadly if they have hostages in their hands, these atrocious things seem to be happening and seem to be going to continue to happen".

The Guardian

They also see Chicago's $1,500 fine as a harsh price for parents to pay.

Huffington Post

Some say that the 11 million people here illegally should pay a very harsh price for their crime, and be deported.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The city asks a lot of its visitors, in this or any other month: harsh climate, harsh traffic, harsh prices.

The New York Times

Its poorest citizens are paying the harshest price for the current fiscal tightening and years of negative or slow economic growth.

The New York Times

But the memoir is more notable, and moving, for its keen awareness of the harsh emotional price many performers pay to earn their turn on the stage.

The New York Times

(Dargis) ★ 'Turn Me On, Dammit! (No rating, 1 16, in Norwegian) Taking coming of age literally, Jannicke Systad Jacobsen's low-key Norwegian comedy follows a hormonal 15-year-old (Helene Bergsholm) who pays a harsh social price for her sexual fantasies.

The New York Times

(David DeWitt) ★ 'Turn Me On, Dammit! (No rating, 1 16, in Norwegian) Taking coming of age literally, Jannicke Systad Jacobsen's low-key Norwegian comedy follows a hormonal 15-year-old (Helene Bergsholm) who pays a harsh social price for her sexual fantasies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "harsh price", consider the emotional weight it carries. It's most effective when the consequence is genuinely severe or undesirable, adding impact to your message.

Common error

Avoid using "harsh price" for trivial inconveniences. Its strength lies in describing significant consequences, so reserve it for situations where the cost is genuinely substantial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harsh price" functions as a noun phrase, where "harsh" modifies the noun "price". It serves to qualify the nature of the price, indicating it's severe or difficult to bear. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "harsh price" is a noun phrase used to denote a severe or difficult cost, as noted by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news media and formal business contexts, it emphasizes the significant negative consequences linked to a decision or action. While grammatically correct, it's best reserved for situations where the cost is genuinely substantial, adding impact to your message. Alternatives like ""steep cost"" or "heavy toll" can provide similar emphasis. The phrase's effectiveness lies in its ability to underscore the gravity of a situation, making it a powerful tool in conveying serious consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

steep cost

Emphasizes the high financial or non-financial burden.

heavy toll

Focuses on the negative impact or damage inflicted.

significant consequence

Highlights the importance and impact of the outcome.

considerable penalty

Specifically refers to a punishment or fine that is substantial.

substantial sacrifice

Indicates a significant loss or giving up of something valuable.

severe repercussions

Highlights the serious and far-reaching effects of an action.

high stakes

Implies that the potential losses or gains are significant.

bitter consequence

Emphasizes the unpleasant and regrettable nature of the result.

difficult trade-off

Focuses on the challenging decision-making process involving compromises.

onerous burden

Stresses the heaviness and oppressiveness of the obligation or responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "harsh price" in a sentence?

You can use "harsh price" to describe a significant negative consequence or cost associated with an action or decision. For example: "The "steep cost" of fame is the loss of privacy."

What's a good alternative to "harsh price"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "heavy toll", ""steep cost"", or "significant consequence".

Is it appropriate to use "harsh price" in formal writing?

Yes, "harsh price" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing serious consequences or significant sacrifices. However, consider the emotional tone and ensure it aligns with the overall message.

What makes the phrase "harsh price" effective?

The phrase's effectiveness stems from its ability to convey the severity or undesirability of a consequence. It's particularly useful when you want to emphasize the high cost associated with something.