prices went up

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "prices went up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a complete sentence on its own and can also be used as part of a longer sentence. Example 1: The cost of groceries has been steadily increasing over the past few months. Prices went up again this week, making it difficult for families to budget for their essential needs. Example 2: The stock market was hit hard by the news of inflation, causing prices to go up across various industries. Example 3: Our electric bills have been rising as the temperatures get colder. It's no surprise that prices went up for electricity this time of year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Prices went up sharply.

The New Yorker

After that, prices went up and down.

The New York Times - Arts

Home prices went up in August.

The New York Times

Amazon switched, and its prices went up.

The New York Times

Fuel prices went up 30 percent from a year ago.

The New York Times

Soybean prices went up 108 percent over that period.

The New York Times

But the day after the elections stock prices went up.

The New Yorker

After these deals, e-book prices went up.

The New York Times

Oil prices went up for a variety of reasons.

The New York Times

"I purchased this oil just before prices went up".

The New York Times

"The prices went up even while we were looking".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing specific items, clearly state which "prices" are being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For example, say "gas prices went up" instead of just "prices went up."

Common error

Avoid using "prices went up" without providing context. Specify which sector or product experienced the price increase. Saying "prices went up, affecting consumers" is vague. Instead, specify, "energy prices went up, affecting household budgets."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prices went up" functions as a statement indicating an increase in the cost of goods or services. Ludwig shows that this phrase is commonly used in contexts discussing economic trends, market changes, and financial impacts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prices went up" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an increase in the cost of goods or services. Ludwig confirms its frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news and media, business, and scientific sources. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's essential to provide specific context to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like ""costs increased"" or ""inflation occurred"" for more precise or formal communication. Specifying which prices increased will also improve communication. Overall, "prices went up" is a versatile phrase when used thoughtfully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

costs increased

Replaces "prices" with "costs" and "went up" with "increased", maintaining a similar level of formality.

values appreciated

Uses "values" instead of "prices" and "appreciated" for "went up", suggesting an increase in worth, often used in financial contexts.

rates rose

Substitutes "prices" with "rates" and "went up" with "rose", suitable for discussing interest rates or service charges.

charges increased

Similar to "costs increased", but uses "charges" to specify fees or tariffs.

the price climbed

A more descriptive and less direct way of saying prices went up.

inflation occurred

Employs a more formal and economic term, "inflation", to describe the general increase in prices.

expenses escalated

Replaces "prices" with "expenses" and "went up" with "escalated", implying a rapid and significant increase.

market soared

More dramatic phrasing indicating a significant increase, often used in stock market contexts.

commodities surged

Uses "commodities" instead of "prices" and "surged" for "went up", indicating a sudden and significant increase in raw material prices.

goods became more expensive

A more descriptive and less direct way of saying prices went up.

FAQs

What does "prices went up" mean?

The phrase "prices went up" means that the cost of goods or services has increased from a previous level. It indicates a rise in the amount of money required to purchase something.

What are some synonyms for "prices went up"?

Some synonyms for "prices went up" include "costs increased", "rates rose", and "inflation occurred". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "prices have went up"?

No, the correct phrasing is "prices have gone up". "Went" is the simple past tense, while "gone" is the past participle, which is needed after "have".

How does "prices went up" affect consumers?

When "prices went up", consumers typically experience a decrease in purchasing power. They may need to adjust their spending habits, buy less of certain goods, or seek cheaper alternatives.