hot commodity

USAGE SUMMARY

"hot commodity" is a correct phrase to use in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is in high demand or highly sought after. Example: "The new iPhone model is a hot commodity, with people lining up for hours to be the first to purchase it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Invitations became a hot commodity, fuelling demand.

The Guardian - Books

Rentals are also a hot commodity.

The New York Times - Travel

Land is another hot commodity that brings in steady profits.

The New York Times

In 2007 and 2008, two-bedrooms were the hot commodity.

The New York Times

Zombies and genre bending remain a hot commodity in Hollywood.

Independent

"They are like a hot commodity," she said.

The New York Times

"He's a hot commodity, and the candidates clearly think his endorsement would be significant.

The New York Times

They drive currencies higher, hurting producers of everything but the hot commodity.

The Economist

It was that success that made D'Antoni a hot commodity in 2008.

The New York Times - Sports

The mobile operating system may be in limbo, but the related patents are a hot commodity.

The New York Times

Paper being a hot commodity, the children co-opted the pages for themselves.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hot commodity" to describe items, skills, or even people that are currently very popular or in demand. Ensure the context makes it clear what's driving the desirability.

Common error

While "hot commodity" is a useful idiom, avoid using it repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "in high demand" or "highly sought-after" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hot commodity" functions as a noun phrase, where "hot" modifies the noun "commodity". It typically acts as a subject complement or object, describing something that is currently very popular and in demand, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hot commodity" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe something highly desirable and in demand. As Ludwig AI points out, it fits into neutral registers and is widely found across various news and media outlets. Related phrases such as "in high demand" or "highly sought-after" can offer suitable alternatives, while being mindful of overuse ensures effective communication. It is advisable to vary your vocabulary in order to make your writing more elegant and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly sought-after item

Replaces "commodity" with "item" and uses "highly sought-after" to emphasize desirability.

much-coveted object

Emphasizes the desire and value associated with the object.

must-have item

A contemporary phrase indicating essential ownership.

in high demand

Focuses on the demand aspect, simplifying the phrase.

desirable acquisition

Emphasizes the act of obtaining something wanted.

popular item

A more general term emphasizing widespread appeal.

valuable asset

Focuses on the worth and utility of something.

prized possession

Highlights the value and ownership aspect.

scarce resource

Highlights the limited availability and high demand.

treasure to be had

A more metaphorical phrase emphasizing the reward of obtaining the item.

FAQs

How can I use "hot commodity" in a sentence?

You can use "hot commodity" to describe something that is currently very popular and in high demand. For example, "During the pandemic, hand sanitizer became a "hot commodity"."

What is a more formal alternative to "hot commodity"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "in high demand" or "highly sought-after" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "hot commodity" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "hot commodity" may be too informal for some academic writing. Evaluate the context and consider more precise language depending on your field.

What makes something a "hot commodity"?

A "hot commodity" is typically something that is both desirable and somewhat scarce, creating high demand. This could be due to trends, limited production, or unique value.