it was very expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was very expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the high cost of an item or service in a past context. Example: "When I visited that restaurant last year, I realized that it was very expensive for what we received."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

"It was very expensive.

The New Yorker

"It was very expensive," he admits.

The New York Times

"It was very expensive," Youssef said.

The New Yorker

It was very expensive and we got nothing back".

The New Yorker

"It was very expensive and was criticised heavily by some newspapers and academics".

Independent

"Unfortunately we lost funding for that program, it was very expensive.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Its benefits seem clear, but it is very expensive.

Sleep Medicine

It's very expensive.

The New York Times

But it is very expensive.

The Economist

(4) It is very expensive.

The Economist

"It is expensive, it is very expensive.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add nuance, consider specifying why something was expensive. For example, "It was very expensive due to the high-quality materials used."

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "very" as an intensifier. Consider stronger, more descriptive alternatives like "exorbitant", "costly", or "pricey" to make your writing more vivid and precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was very expensive" functions as a statement expressing a high cost or price. It's a descriptive assertion about the financial aspect of something. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples that confirm this usage, such as in news reports about therapies and construction projects, as well as personal anecdotes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was very expensive" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a high cost. Ludwig AI validates this with numerous examples from diverse sources like news outlets, scientific publications, and general discussions. The phrase functions primarily to inform about a high price but can also explain choices or limitations. While the register is generally neutral, its widespread presence across different source types underscores its adaptability in both formal and informal settings. To improve writing, consider using stronger synonyms to "very" for a more vivid impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was incredibly costly

Replaces "very" with "incredibly" to intensify the degree of expensiveness.

it cost a fortune

Emphasizes the high cost, using a more figurative expression.

the price was exorbitant

Highlights the excessive nature of the price.

it proved to be quite pricey

Uses "pricey" as a synonym for expensive, adding a touch of informality.

it incurred substantial expenses

More formal, emphasizing the amount of expenses incurred.

it carried a hefty price tag

Uses a more descriptive and visual term for the high price.

it represented a significant investment

Focuses on the investment aspect, highlighting the financial commitment.

it broke the bank

An idiom indicating that something was so expensive it depleted available funds.

it required a large outlay of capital

More formal and business-oriented, referring to capital expenditure.

it stretched the budget

Indicates that the expense strained the available budget.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "it was very expensive"?

You can use phrases like "it cost a fortune", "it was incredibly costly", or "it proved to be quite pricey" to express the high cost in different ways.

How can I make the phrase "it was very expensive" more specific?

Instead of just stating it was expensive, specify why it was expensive. For instance, "It was very expensive due to limited availability" or "It was very expensive because of the specialized labor involved."

Is it grammatically correct to say "it was very expensive"?

Yes, "it was very expensive" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and is widely understood.

In what contexts is "it was very expensive" most commonly used?

Based on the provided examples, "it was very expensive" is commonly used in "news media" and discussions about costs in various situations, such as construction, medical treatments, or historical events. It's also prevalent in the "science" when the implementation of a project faces budget constraints.