is expensive enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is expensive enough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express whether something is expensive enough to be considered satisfactory or acceptable. For example: "This laptop is expensive enough for me to consider buying it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

A passport and its attendant visa, work permit and other papers is expensive enough, costing the equivalent of over $100.

The Economist

You could bribe them by offering to buy the tickets – but movie-going is expensive enough as it is, and you don't want to set a precedent.

The Guardian - Opinion

Providing for America's real defense needs is expensive enough without making the military budget double as a make-work jobs program.

The New York Times

As he says, "diving is expensive enough already".

TechCrunch

In addition, the matrix multiplication to form the normal matrix is expensive enough to justify a call to an external dynamic library.

Chemistry Central Journal

U.S. Against the World While no single American venue is expensive enough to be the king of sports excess, it'll only be a matter of time.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"It's expensive enough as it is," said Stacey Momo, 26, a nurse from Staten Island.

The New York Times

But these programs are expensive enough that cash-strapped governments usually can't begin them.

The New York Times

It's expensive enough and there are other things to do".

The New York Times - Sports

Safe rooms provide essentially absolute protection, but are expensive enough that many would likely judge them too expensive.

The New York Times

"It's expensive enough that it hurts, but inexpensive enough that you don't want to take the time to fight it," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is expensive enough", ensure the context clearly indicates what the cost is sufficient for. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the intended purpose or outcome related to the cost.

Common error

Avoid using "is expensive enough" without providing a point of reference. For instance, instead of saying "It's expensive enough", clarify with "It's expensive enough to deter most buyers."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "is expensive enough" is to serve as a predicative expression, indicating that something possesses a level of cost that meets a particular requirement or expectation. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is expensive enough" is a grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something's cost meets a specific requirement or expectation. As affirmed by Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase. While not exceedingly common, the phrase appears in diverse contexts such as news reports, scientific articles, and general media, demonstrating its versatility. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what the cost is adequate for, avoiding vague comparisons. Alternatives such as "sufficiently costly" or "adequately priced" can offer nuanced variations. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively incorporate "is expensive enough" into their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

priced high enough

Similar meaning, but uses a different word order and phrasing.

sufficiently costly

Replaces "expensive enough" with a more formal and concise term.

sufficiently high-priced

Combines "sufficiently" with "high-priced" for emphasis.

adequately priced

Focuses on the price being adequate for a purpose.

expensive to a satisfactory degree

Adds a descriptive element, focusing on satisfaction.

costly to the point of

Emphasizes reaching a specific level of expensiveness.

reasonably expensive

Implies that the price is expensive, but still within reason.

of adequate cost

Presents the idea in a more formal, almost technical way.

comes at a high enough price

Highlights the price as a consequence or result.

carries a sufficient price tag

Emphasizes the price as a label or indicator of value.

FAQs

How can I use "is expensive enough" in a sentence?

You can use "is expensive enough" to indicate that something's price meets a certain threshold or achieves a specific purpose due to its cost. For example, "The security system "is expensive enough" to deter burglars".

What are some alternatives to "is expensive enough"?

Alternatives include "sufficiently costly", "adequately priced", or "priced high enough", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is enough expensive" instead of "is expensive enough"?

No, "is enough expensive" is grammatically incorrect. The correct order is "is expensive enough", where "expensive" is an adjective and "enough" functions as an adverb modifying it.

What does it mean when something "is expensive enough"?

It means that the cost of something reaches a level that makes it suitable for a particular purpose or effective in a specific way. For example, something might "be expensive enough" to be considered high-quality or a deterrent.