is pretty expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is pretty expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the cost of an item or service that is considered high relative to others. Example: "The new smartphone model is pretty expensive compared to last year's version."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

"Certainly changing thosepanes is pretty expensive".

The New York Times - Books

The beer (Brooklyn lager, 33cl, £4.50) is pretty expensive, too.

The Guardian - Travel

Rest assured, though, his version of normcore is pretty expensive.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Varying Customer Price Sensitivity: maybe…Ice skating at MBS is pretty expensive.

Cornell University

But if you adjust for normalized margins, the United States market is pretty expensive".

The New York Times

"Everything is pretty expensive right now because we had a nice bounce," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Steaks are pretty expensive.

The New Yorker

That's pretty expensive.

The New York Times

It's pretty expensive.

The Guardian - Tech

Burgers up there are pretty expensive".

The New York Times - Magazine

I guess cords are pretty expensive.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing costs, consider the context and audience. "Is pretty expensive" is suitable for general conversations but may need more precise language in formal reports.

Common error

Avoid using multiple qualifiers like "very pretty expensive" as it can sound redundant. Choose the single, most accurate descriptor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is pretty expensive" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing the attribute of a subject as being costly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

23%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is pretty expensive" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something has a relatively high cost. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread acceptance. While suitable for general conversations and neutral contexts such as news and media, more precise language might be necessary for formal reports or academic settings. Related phrases like "is quite costly" or "is rather pricey" can offer alternatives depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful of overuse and context to ensure clarity and accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is quite costly

Replaces "pretty" with "quite" and "expensive" with "costly", implying a similar level of high cost.

is rather pricey

Uses "rather" instead of "pretty" and "pricey" instead of "expensive", both suggesting a somewhat high price.

is fairly high-priced

Substitutes "pretty" with "fairly" and uses "high-priced" to convey the expensive nature.

is somewhat dear

Replaces "pretty expensive" with "somewhat dear", indicating a noticeable cost.

is on the higher end

Indicates that something belongs to the expensive part in a given range.

doesn't come cheap

Emphasizes that the item or service is not inexpensive, using a more informal tone.

carries a high price tag

Focuses on the high price itself, using a more descriptive and visual expression.

is a bit of a splurge

Suggests that buying the item is an indulgence due to its cost.

is more than affordable

Expresses the high cost by suggesting that the thing is more than the affordable range.

is beyond my budget

Highlights the user's limited capacity to afford something because of its price.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "is pretty expensive"?

You can use alternatives like "is quite costly", "is rather pricey", or "is fairly high-priced" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "is pretty expensive"?

It's suitable for informal settings or general conversations. In formal reports or business contexts, use more precise language like "high-priced" or "costly".

Is "is pretty expensive" grammatically correct?

Yes, "is pretty expensive" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English.

What's the difference between "is pretty expensive" and "is very expensive"?

"Is very expensive" emphasizes a higher degree of expensiveness compared to "is pretty expensive". "Pretty" indicates a moderate level, while "very" suggests a stronger emphasis on the cost.