relatively costly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relatively costly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the cost of something to other options, indicating that it is expensive to some degree but not excessively so. Example: "While the new software is relatively costly, its features justify the investment for our business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is relatively costly.

The New York Times

Burrell's attention to detail meant his productions were relatively costly.

The Guardian - Music

Early models were relatively costly but did a job that once depended on guesswork.

The New York Times - Tech

But corn and other grains are relatively costly to grow, from an energy standpoint.

The New York Times - Science

The main source of industrial glucose in North America is maize starch, which is relatively costly.

The Economist

G.P.S. receivers have until now been relatively costly devices used by sportsmen and in car navigation systems.

The New York Times

"If you want to keep up the quality, it is relatively costly to make and to store.

Independent

Generally the recent forgeries are for free samples of relatively costly health and beauty products, Mr. Hammonds said, and the forgers have taken a variety of approaches.

The New York Times - Tech

He is also being urged to prevent more people being dragged into the 40% tax bracket – something that would be popular with middle Britain, but relatively costly.

The Guardian

Orders for durable goods, relatively costly items expected to last three years or more, rose 5percentthethirdhincreaseease in the last four months.

The New York Times

Because there are about 70 million users worldwide, any compensation to customers could be relatively costly for RIM, which has failed to meet recent financial targets.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing options, use "relatively costly" to acknowledge a higher price without deterring potential interest. For example, "While solar panels are "relatively costly" upfront, they offer long-term savings."

Common error

Avoid using "relatively costly" when describing an item that is simply expensive in absolute terms. The phrase implies a comparison to other options. If there is no comparison, use "expensive" or "high-priced" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively costly" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its price in comparison to other items. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "relatively costly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something is more expensive compared to other options. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While not overly formal, it finds its place in news, scientific and business contexts. When using this phrase, remember to imply a clear comparison. If something is simply expensive, other terms like "expensive" or "high-priced" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comparatively expensive

This alternative directly replaces "relatively costly" with a synonym emphasizing the comparison of cost.

moderately expensive

This alternative uses a more formal term than "pricey" and is similar to "relatively costly"

somewhat pricey

This phrase uses a more informal synonym for "costly", suggesting a moderate level of expense.

fairly high-priced

This option uses another synonym but adds the word "fairly" to indicate a similar extent

more expensive than average

This alternative explicitly compares the cost to the average price, indicating higher cost.

not the cheapest option

This phrase shifts the focus to a comparison with cheaper alternatives, implying that "relatively costly" items are more expensive than others.

on the higher end of the price range

This alternative emphasizes the position of an item within a range of prices, suggesting it is more expensive than average.

in the expensive side

This alternative describes an expensive option.

carries a higher price tag

This is a more idiomatic way of saying something is more expensive.

represents a significant investment

This phrase focuses on the financial commitment involved, highlighting that "relatively costly" items require a notable expenditure.

FAQs

How can I use "relatively costly" in a sentence?

Use "relatively costly" to indicate that something is expensive compared to other options or alternatives. For instance, "Organic produce is "relatively costly" compared to conventionally grown produce."

What are some alternatives to saying "relatively costly"?

You can use phrases like "comparatively expensive", "somewhat pricey", or "moderately expensive" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "relatively cost effective" when something is also "relatively costly"?

Yes, it can be correct. Something can be "relatively costly" in terms of initial investment but "relatively cost effective" over the long term due to its durability or efficiency.

What's the difference between "relatively costly" and simply "expensive"?

"Relatively costly" implies a comparison to other options, while "expensive" suggests a high price in absolute terms. If there is nothing to compare, use the term "expensive".