it has been expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has been expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the cost of something over a period of time, indicating that it has incurred a high expense. Example: "Since we started the renovation, it has been expensive, and we need to reassess our budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

And it has been expensive.

The Economist

It has been expensive and not fun.

The New York Times - Health

A lot of genetic testing hasn't been integrated into healthcare because it has been expensive.

The Guardian

"We're much better prepared for a storm now," Kuska says, "but it has been expensive".

Science Magazine

Levine sees a lot of potential in the small business software market where up until recently, it has been expensive for them to install and maintain software.

TechCrunch

It has been expensive to produce film on celluloid reels and then these had to physically be shipped to theaters (which were also, obviously, limited).

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But suppose it had been expensive, someone else asked.

The New York Times - Food

The construction has been expensive.

The New York Times

It would have been expensive, ugly and, in an area prone to earthquakes, nerve-racking.

The New York Times - Food

I could have hired a mover, but it would have been expensive and slow.

The New York Times

"It would have been expensive and time-consuming," said John Ransom, a Raymond James analyst who upgraded the company to a strong buy today.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has been expensive", ensure you provide context or quantify the expense to give the reader a clearer understanding. For example: "Maintaining the vintage car has been expensive, costing over $10,000 per year."

Common error

Avoid simply stating "it has been expensive" without providing any details or comparison. This can leave the reader wondering about the scale or relevance of the expense. Quantify when possible to make the statement more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been expensive" primarily functions as a statement or assertion. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It's used to express that something has incurred high costs over time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has been expensive" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something has cost a lot of money over time. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's important to provide context or quantify the expense to give the reader a clearer understanding. While the phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, more specific language might be preferred in certain formal settings. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, but can also appear in scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was a costly endeavor

This alternative emphasizes the effort or undertaking that resulted in high costs.

it incurred significant costs

This option highlights the action of accumulating expenses.

it proved to be uneconomical

This alternative focuses on the lack of economic value or efficiency.

it was financially draining

This suggests the activity depleted resources.

the price was considerable

Here the focus shifts to the magnitude of the price involved.

it became quite an investment

This highlights how much was spent over time, portraying it like an asset investment.

it stretched our budget

Suggests that the activity pushed the available financial resources to their limit.

it involved a large outlay

This phrase stresses the substantial amount of money spent.

the expenses mounted up

Implies a gradual increase in cost that eventually became significant.

it cost a pretty penny

An idiomatic expression conveying that something was quite expensive.

FAQs

What does "it has been expensive" mean?

The phrase "it has been expensive" means that something has cost a lot of money over a period of time. It indicates that the cumulative expenses related to a particular activity, item, or project have been high.

What can I say instead of "it has been expensive"?

You can use alternatives like "it was a costly endeavor", "it proved to be uneconomical", or "it incurred significant costs" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "it has been expensive" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "Although the project was successful, "it has been expensive" to maintain the infrastructure." You can also provide more details, such as "The research "it has been expensive", costing the university over $2 million dollars."

Is "it has been expensive" formal or informal?

The phrase "it has been expensive" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal settings, consider using more precise language or quantifying the expense for clarity.