prices are escalating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prices are escalating" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing situations where prices are increasing rapidly or significantly. For example: "Due to high demand, prices are escalating for essential goods." Alternative expressions include "prices are rising" and "prices are increasing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Many of the grand old mansions have changed hands in recent years, and prices are escalating.

The New York Times

"Inventory is shrinking and the prices are escalating — supply and demand".

The New York Times

The net result is that prices are escalating and orders for equipment taking longer and longer.

The Guardian

Those who have feared a crash in gold prices have been proved wrong, as prices are escalating every day, even more than fuel prices.

The New York Times

Clam shacks and restaurants in Connecticut that sell fried clams and steamers say they are able to buy the shellfish they need, but prices are escalating quickly.

The New York Times

Food prices are escalating, and after 20 years of anarchy, coping mechanisms are collapsing, with many families driven from their land and many breadwinners cut down in Somalia's endless iterations of civil war.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Not every couple wants to celebrate on a day where the menu prices are escalated.

Huffington Post

The presence of the aerospace engineer in the automobile industry is evident from the streamlined shapes of cars and trucks that evolved during the late 20th century, at a time when gasoline prices were escalating and the aerospace industry was in a lull.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Wow, and I thought gas prices were escalating at breakneck speed.

Los Angeles Times

Both increases come after months of stonewalling the world community's pleas to increase production as prices were escalating dramatically.

Huffington Post

As prices were escalating past $80/bbl in August/September, OPEC announced, graciously in their view, that the 500,000 barrel/day cut would be reinstated, but not until November.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prices are escalating" when you want to emphasize a rapid and potentially worrying increase in costs. Consider the emotional impact of "escalating" versus more neutral terms like "increasing."

Common error

While appropriate for many situations, avoid using "escalating" in very informal contexts where simpler words like "rising" or "going up" would be more natural. Choose language that fits your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prices are escalating" functions as a declarative statement. It asserts a fact about the current state of prices, indicating that they are increasing rapidly. Ludwig provides many examples where the phrase is used to describe economic trends.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prices are escalating" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a rapid increase in costs. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's typically used in neutral to professional contexts, such as news reports and economic analyses, to convey a sense of urgency or concern about rising prices. While simpler alternatives exist, "escalating" emphasizes the speed and potential negative impact of the price increase. When writing, remember that it is better to use a direct and specific language to ensure clarity. The most appropriate contexts are "News & Media" and "Science".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

costs are rising

Replaces "escalating" with "rising", indicating a general increase without necessarily implying a rapid or dramatic change.

prices are increasing

Substitutes "escalating" with "increasing", suggesting a more gradual and steady upward trend.

costs are surging

Uses "surging" instead of "escalating", conveying a sudden and significant increase.

prices are soaring

Replaces "escalating" with "soaring", implying a very rapid and substantial rise in prices.

the price is skyrocketing

Changes the structure to focus on a single price and uses "skyrocketing" to emphasize an extreme increase.

expenses are mounting

Shifts the focus to "expenses" and uses "mounting" to suggest a gradual accumulation of costs.

inflation is accelerating

Uses a more formal term, "inflation", and "accelerating" to describe the increasing rate of price increases.

the cost is spiraling out of control

Expresses a loss of control over increasing costs, suggesting a negative consequence.

budgets are stretched thin

Shifts the focus to the impact of escalating prices on budgets, indicating a strain on resources.

values are appreciating rapidly

Focuses on the "values" of the item increasing rapidly.

FAQs

What does "prices are escalating" mean?

The phrase "prices are escalating" means that the prices of goods or services are increasing rapidly and significantly, often implying a concerning or unsustainable trend.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "prices are escalating"?

It's appropriate to use "prices are escalating" when you want to emphasize a rapid and potentially alarming increase in prices, such as during periods of high inflation or economic instability. Use more neutral terms like "prices are increasing" for more gradual changes.

What are some alternatives to "prices are escalating"?

Some alternatives include "costs are rising", "prices are increasing", or "costs are surging". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is there a difference between saying "prices are escalating" and "prices are rising"?

Yes, while both phrases indicate an increase in prices, "prices are escalating" suggests a more rapid and potentially alarming rate of increase compared to "prices are rising", which implies a more gradual change.