it was too expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was too expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the cost of an item or service that is higher than what you are willing to pay. Example: "I wanted to buy the new smartphone, but it was too expensive for my budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Federal Express zapped its Zapmail service, saying it was too expensive...

The New York Times

It was too expensive".

The New York Times

"And it was too expensive".

The New York Times

But it was too expensive.

The New York Times

"But realistically, it was too expensive.

The New York Times

It was too expensive, for one thing.

Harvard Business Review

"It was too expensive for us.

The Guardian

"They just felt it was too expensive.

The New York Times

One said it was too expensive.

The New York Times

For me it was too expensive.

The Guardian - Sport

"But it was too expensive," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was too expensive", consider specifying who found it too expensive (e.g., "For us, "it was too expensive"") for clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "it was too expensive" without providing context. Briefly explain why it was too expensive (e.g., "It was too expensive for our limited budget", "It was too expensive compared to the alternatives").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was too expensive" primarily functions as a statement expressing that the cost of something exceeded an acceptable or affordable level. This is supported by numerous examples in Ludwig where the phrase is used to justify a decision or explain why an action was not taken. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was too expensive" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something's cost was prohibitive. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and the provided examples illustrate its widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While simple, it's important to provide context about why something was too expensive for greater clarity. Consider using alternatives like "it cost too much" or "it exceeded the budget" to fine-tune your meaning. Overall, this phrase is a versatile tool for communicating financial constraints in diverse scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it cost too much

Emphasizes the high cost without explicitly using the word "expensive".

it was prohibitively priced

Highlights that the price was a barrier to purchase or participation.

it exceeded the budget

Focuses on the cost surpassing the allocated funds.

it was beyond our means

Indicates that the cost was unaffordable for the speaker or a group.

it was excessively priced

Implies that the pricing was unreasonable or unjustified.

it was an extravagance

Suggests that the item or service was a luxury that couldn't be justified.

the price was a dealbreaker

Emphasizes that the cost was the primary reason for rejecting the option.

the cost was unsustainable

Highlights that the expense could not be maintained over time.

it broke the bank

Informal expression meaning it cost all the money you had.

it wasn't worth the money

Focuses on the value proposition, suggesting that the cost didn't match the perceived benefit.

FAQs

What does "it was too expensive" mean?

The phrase ""it was too expensive"" indicates that the cost of something was higher than what someone was willing or able to pay. It implies the price was a barrier to acquiring the item or service.

How can I use "it was too expensive" in a sentence?

You can use ""it was too expensive"" to explain why you didn't buy something: "I wanted to buy the car, but "it was too expensive"."

What can I say instead of "it was too expensive"?

You can use alternatives like "it cost too much", "it was prohibitively priced", or "it exceeded the budget" depending on the context.

Is "it's too expensive" different from "it was too expensive"?

"It's too expensive" refers to the current cost, while ""it was too expensive"" refers to a past cost. The choice depends on whether you're speaking about something that is currently too expensive or something that used to be.