prohibitively expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

'prohibitively expensive' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that is far too expensive to be practical or affordable. For example, 'The cost of living in this city is prohibitively expensive.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Prohibitively expensive.

The New York Times

Alas, that's probably "prohibitively expensive".

The New York Times

The tickets are prohibitively expensive.

The Guardian - Sport

Commercial distribution remains prohibitively expensive.

The New Yorker

Flights were complicated and prohibitively expensive.

The Economist

But that would be prohibitively expensive.

The Economist

C.D.S. contracts can sometimes be prohibitively expensive.

The New Yorker

Hiring qualified staff can be prohibitively expensive.

The Economist

But their services can be prohibitively expensive.

The New York Times

BBC shows, too, were prohibitively expensive.

Independent

Anything else else is just prohibitively expensive".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prohibitively expensive", ensure the context clearly indicates what the high cost prevents or makes impractical. For example, specify that "renovating the building is prohibitively expensive, making it impossible to preserve its historical features".

Common error

Avoid using "prohibitively expensive" when the cost is merely inconvenient or undesirable. Reserve it for situations where the expense genuinely creates a barrier or eliminates a possibility altogether. For instance, saying "the coffee was prohibitively expensive" is an overstatement if it simply meant you chose a cheaper option.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prohibitively expensive" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by an adjective. It serves to emphasize the degree to which something is costly, implying that the cost acts as a significant barrier or deterrent. Ludwig AI confirms this frequent use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prohibitively expensive" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes something as being too costly to be practical or affordable. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. It's most frequently found in news, media, scientific and formal/business contexts, signifying its wide applicability. While perfectly acceptable, writers should ensure the context warrants such a strong term, reserving it for cases where costs genuinely create a significant barrier. Consider alternatives such as "unaffordable" or "excessively costly" for nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unaffordable

Directly states inability to afford something, focusing on the financial limitation.

excessively costly

Emphasizes the extreme nature of the expense.

out of reach financially

Highlights that something is not achievable due to financial constraints.

beyond one's means

Indicates that something exceeds one's financial capacity.

astronomically priced

Implies an extremely high price, using a hyperbolic comparison.

impractically expensive

Focuses on the impracticality of the cost, rather than just the amount.

too rich for my blood

An informal idiom expressing that something is too expensive for the speaker.

carrying a high price tag

Indicates that the cost is remarkable.

at a premium

Suggests a higher price compared to similar items.

costing an arm and a leg

An idiom expressing that something is exceedingly expensive.

FAQs

How can I use "prohibitively expensive" in a sentence?

You can use "prohibitively expensive" to describe something that is too costly to be practical or affordable. For example, "Due to high import tariffs, foreign goods are "prohibitively expensive" in this country."

What are some alternatives to "prohibitively expensive"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "unaffordable", "excessively costly", or "out of reach financially" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "prohibitively expensive"?

Use "prohibitively expensive" when the cost is so high that it effectively prevents something from happening or being feasible. It implies that the expense is a significant obstacle. Avoid it for minor or manageable costs.

Is there a difference between "expensive" and "prohibitively expensive"?

"Expensive" simply means something costs a lot of money. "Prohibitively expensive" means the cost is so high that it makes something impossible or extremely difficult to obtain or do. It suggests a much greater degree of costliness than just "expensive".