it sounds expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "it sounds expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase if you are making an inference about something that you think might be expensive. For example, you could say: I saw the new car they bought and it looks really nice. It sounds expensive.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"It sounds expensive," Brosius says of the $1,200 per fragrance he charges for interior work.

The New York Times - Magazine

The season is organised around polo matches and gourmet festivals: it sounds expensive, and it is.

The Guardian - Travel

But my answer to their question about the 20percentt policy is always the same: It sounds expensive.

Harvard Business Review

"It sounds expensive, like a whole orchestra, but it's just one cello playing for real and the other stuff is Midi-based," she says, realising she may have just dissed GoT composer Ramin Djawadi.

The Guardian - Music

You may be hesitating to make your own stock because it sounds expensive.

HuffPost

It sounds expensive because it sounds like an enormous undertaking and this is a very challenging time to sell expensive programs to the American people.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

(In fact, he adds an amusing anecdote about another participant, Veronica Salazar, the owner of El Huarache Loco, telling an interviewer that she didn't use organic ingredients. She finally admitted that, actually, she does — but avoids saying so because to many of her customers it simply "sounds expensive").

The New York Times - Magazine

It also sounds expensive.

Vice

If this sounds expensive, it's only because it is.

Huffington Post

It costs $119, which sounds expensive to the layman for a couple sheets of fabric and a plastic box, but it's really a pretty good deal for an amateur photographer starting out, and will probably be "gateway gear" to more expensive kits.

TechCrunch

If this sounds expensive, it is.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it sounds expensive" when you want to express a preliminary assessment based on initial impressions. For instance, before researching travel options, saying, "A trip to Japan sounds expensive" sets an expectation.

Common error

Don't solely rely on initial impressions. Saying "it sounds expensive" should prompt further investigation to confirm the actual cost. Failing to do so could lead to inaccurate budgeting or missed opportunities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it sounds expensive" primarily functions as an evaluative statement. It expresses a subjective assessment about the perceived cost of something based on available information or impressions. Ludwig examples show its usage in response to hearing about a service or product.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it sounds expensive" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a preliminary assessment of high cost, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's suitable for neutral contexts and serves to convey a perception based on initial impressions. While widely used in various sources, including news, media, and wikis, it's important to avoid assumptions without further verification. Alternatives like "it seems costly" can offer slight variations in tone or formality. Remember to investigate further before fully committing to the idea that something is, in fact, expensive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems costly

Replaces 'sounds' with 'seems' and 'expensive' with 'costly', offering a slightly more formal tone.

it suggests a high price tag

Specifically mentions the 'price tag', making the cost more explicit.

it gives the impression of being costly

More elaborate, emphasizing the impression conveyed rather than a direct assessment.

it has an expensive ring to it

Uses a more figurative expression, focusing on the connotation.

the cost appears to be significant

A more neutral and formal way of expressing the potentially high cost.

it appears to be high-end

Shifts the focus to the perceived quality and exclusivity associated with high prices.

it looks like it costs a fortune

Uses hyperbole to emphasize the perceived high cost.

it evokes an image of luxury

Highlights the luxurious associations, implying expensiveness through indirect suggestion.

it feels like it would break the bank

Focuses on the potential financial strain associated with the cost.

that looks unaffordable

Focuses on the inability to pay for something.

FAQs

How can I use "it sounds expensive" in a sentence?

You can use "it sounds expensive" to express that something gives the impression of being costly, such as, "The renovations they're planning sound expensive".

What can I say instead of "it sounds expensive"?

You can use alternatives like "it seems costly", "it gives the impression of being costly", or "it suggests a high price tag" depending on the context.

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

It's appropriate to use "it sounds expensive" when you want to convey that something appears to be costly based on initial information or impressions, without necessarily having concrete details.

Is "it sounds expensive" formal or informal?

The phrase "it sounds expensive" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both informal and semi-formal contexts. For more formal situations, alternatives like "the cost appears to be significant" might be more suitable.