it was very cheap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was very cheap" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the low cost of an item or service in a past context. Example: "I bought a new jacket last week, and it was very cheap compared to similar ones in the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

It was very cheap".

The New Yorker

It was very cheap — gorgeous, but cheap.

The New York Times - Science

"Before, it was very cheap, $10 a visit," he said.

The New York Times

It was very cheap, most of them were drunk on race day.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was told by people that it was very cheap," he says.

Independent

I bought it in the Harrods sale in 1980 – it was very cheap.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Granted the CSR story is not the most exciting (or clear cut), it is very cheap versus Wolfson, its closest peer in the UK.

The Guardian - Business

It needs a contract with an element of price subsidy for the first 25 years of its 100-plus year life, after which it is very cheap indeed.

BBC

"It seems weird for the Army with its large contracts to be using Linux, but it's very cheap and very customizable," Cadet McCord said.

The New York Times - Tech

It's very cheap.

Columbia University

First, it's very cheap.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when using "it was very cheap". In formal contexts, alternatives like "it was economically priced" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Ensure "it" has a clear antecedent. Saying "It was very cheap, so I bought it" is unclear if the reader doesn't know what "it" is.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was very cheap" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that something had a low price. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where the phrase is used to express affordability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was very cheap" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression to denote something of low cost. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is predominantly found in news and media contexts and is considered acceptable for general use. However, in more formal settings, it's advisable to use alternatives. The phrase effectively communicates affordability, although ensuring a clear reference for "it" is essential to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it didn't cost much

Emphasizes the lack of significant expense.

it was quite affordable

Highlights the ease of affording something.

it was a bargain

Suggests the item was purchased for less than its true value.

it was dirt cheap

Emphasizes extreme inexpensiveness; more informal.

it was economically priced

Focuses on the economic value and pricing strategy.

it was offered at a discount

Highlights that a reduction in the original price was available.

it came at a low price

Simple and direct way of stating the low cost.

it didn't break the bank

Indicates the purchase didn't cause financial strain; more idiomatic.

it was a steal

Similar to 'bargain', implying a significant undervaluation.

it was reasonably priced

Suggests a fair and acceptable cost.

FAQs

How can I use "it was very cheap" in a sentence?

You can use "it was very cheap" to describe the low cost of something in the past. For example, "The apartment was old, but "it was very cheap"."

What can I say instead of "it was very cheap"?

You can use alternatives like "it was quite affordable", "it was a bargain", or "it didn't cost much" depending on the context.

Is "it was very cheap" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it was very cheap" might be too informal for some contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "it was economically priced" in professional settings.

What's the difference between "it was very cheap" and "it was cheap"?

"It was very cheap" emphasizes the low cost more strongly than "it was cheap". The addition of "very" intensifies the degree of inexpensiveness.