on the cheaper side

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the cheaper side" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing options or choices that are less expensive compared to others. Example: "While there are many luxury hotels in the area, we found a few options that are on the cheaper side."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Admission: From £5 to £15, and generally on the cheaper side.

The Guardian - Music

"OK, it's on the cheaper side, but in terms of getting people familiar with what a Swedish meatball is – and serving those who already know – it's very good".

Independent

On the cheaper side, street vendors push two items: grilled corn rubbed with lime and spices, and Kashmiri tea, a creamy pink concoction sprinkled with crushed pistachios.

BBC

If you're in the market for a Bluetooth speaker that lands on the cheaper side of the Bluetooth speaker market, the Insignia Brick 2 is a great place to start.

Forbes

"Despicable Me 2," meanwhile, was made on the cheaper side for an animated family film.

Los Angeles Times

The vibrator I pick out was on the cheaper side (thirty dollars) but it was super cute.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"If we come in on the cheap side, it is going to backfire.

The New York Times

Harwood's magic number of eight dollars a pound would be on the cheap side today.

The New Yorker

His business manager, Frank Dunphy, worries that it's a bit on the cheap side.

The Guardian

The resulting images are more conventionally Surrealist than you might wish, and the thrills they provide are mostly on the cheap side.

The New York Times - Arts

May Speed Racer soar and roar (but it only cost $100m and these days that's not just on the cheap side - it leaves you thinking that some of the people behind this picture are anxious).

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "on the cheaper side" with specific details like "compared to X" or "for this type of product".

Common error

While acceptable, "on the cheaper side" is somewhat informal. In formal or business writing, consider alternatives like "more affordable" or "less expensive" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the cheaper side" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating that something is relatively inexpensive or more affordable compared to other options. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on the cheaper side" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates something is relatively less expensive compared to other alternatives. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register, and is generally used to provide context about cost or guide decisions. While acceptable in most situations, more formal alternatives like "more affordable" or "less expensive" may be preferred in professional writing. The phrase functions to provide information about cost within a set of options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more affordable

Directly indicates something is within a reasonable price range; less figurative.

less expensive

A straightforward way to state something costs less.

budget-friendly

Highlights suitability for those with limited budgets.

economical option

Emphasizes resourcefulness and avoiding waste, a slightly different angle.

reasonably priced

Emphasizes the fairness or justification of the cost.

at a lower price point

Focuses on the positioning of a product within a pricing spectrum.

good value

Implies a beneficial trade-off between cost and what is received.

value for money

Highlights a good balance between price and quality.

competitively priced

Suggests pricing is advantageous compared to similar options.

on a tight budget

Indicates affordability is a primary concern due to financial constraints.

FAQs

How can I use "on the cheaper side" in a sentence?

You can use "on the cheaper side" to describe something that is less expensive compared to other options. For example, "While there are many luxury hotels in the area, we found a few options that are "on the cheaper side"."

What can I say instead of "on the cheaper side"?

You can use alternatives like "more affordable", "less expensive", or "budget-friendly" depending on the context.

Is "on the cheaper side" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "on the cheaper side" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "more affordable" or "less expensive".

What's the difference between "on the cheaper side" and "on the cheap"?

"On the cheaper side" implies a relative comparison, indicating something is less expensive than other options. "On the cheap" suggests doing something with minimal expense, sometimes implying a compromise in quality.