not so expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not so expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing prices or discussing affordability in a more casual or conversational context. Example: "While the new smartphone is not so expensive compared to last year's model, it still offers great features."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Gods are not so expensive anymore".

The New York Times - Arts

I should choose another material that is not so expensive.

The New York Times

"Not so expensive if a trawler rips the lot up," Derek says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Restaurants, expensive and not so expensive, offer foods from all over the world.

The New York Times - Travel

"Can we choose ingredients for spacecraft that are not so expensive or so difficult to operate?" she said.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"It was right by the sea, the nature was fantastic, it was nice and quiet and not so expensive.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

College wasn't so expensive then.

The Washington Post

"It wasn't so expensive back then," he said.

The New Yorker

At Starbucks, the price of coffee isn't so expensive.

The New York Times - Food

I wish childcare in the summer holidays wasn't so expensive.

The Guardian - Money

Whole Foods has mounted an aggressive campaign to convince consumers that it isn't so expensive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing prices, use "not so expensive" to indicate a noticeable but not drastic difference. For instance, "This model is "not so expensive" compared to the premium version, but it still has most of the features."

Common error

While "not so expensive" is acceptable in casual conversation, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for phrases like "relatively affordable" or "economical" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not so expensive" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase for indicating something is relatively affordable. It serves to qualify the degree of expensiveness, suggesting it is less than anticipated or compared to something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

15%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not so expensive" is a commonly used and grammatically sound way to express that something is relatively affordable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for general use, particularly in news, media, and scientific contexts. When aiming for a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "relatively affordable" or "reasonably priced". While versatile, it's crucial to avoid overuse in highly formal writing to maintain a professional image. The phrase functions primarily to inform or persuade about the affordability of an item, service, or experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively affordable

This alternative uses more formal language to convey the same idea of moderate cost.

reasonably priced

This alternative suggests a fair price in relation to the item's value.

moderately priced

This emphasizes that the item falls within a middle range of prices.

affordable

A more concise way of saying something is within a reasonable price range, omitting the "not so" construction.

fairly cheap

This indicates that the item is on the lower end of the price spectrum, but maintains a sense of fairness.

not too costly

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes the avoidance of high costs.

economical

This highlights the value and efficiency of the item in terms of cost.

budget-friendly

This suggests the item is suitable for those with a limited budget.

within budget

Focuses on the item fitting into a pre-determined financial plan.

accessibly priced

Emphasizes that the price makes the item available to a wider range of people.

FAQs

What does "not so expensive" mean?

The phrase "not so expensive" means that something is relatively affordable or reasonably priced. It implies that while the item or service isn't necessarily cheap, it is within an acceptable price range or cheaper compared to something else.

What can I say instead of "not so expensive"?

You can use alternatives like "relatively affordable", "reasonably priced", or "moderately priced" depending on the context.

How to use "not so expensive" in a sentence?

You can use "not so expensive" to compare prices or discuss affordability. For example: "While the new smartphone is "not so expensive" compared to last year's model, it still offers great features."

Which is correct, "not so expensive" or "not very expensive"?

Both "not so expensive" and "not very expensive" are correct and can be used interchangeably. However, "not so expensive" is more commonly used in informal contexts, while "not very expensive" may sound slightly more formal.