slightly costly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly costly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a minor or small degree of expense associated with it. Example: "The new software is slightly costly, but its features justify the investment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This shows that the parents do not have strong objections or fears about immunisation, but that they are not persuaded enough about its benefits to overcome the natural tendency to delay a slightly costly activity (immunisation is free, but it takes some time and effort to go to the centre and get the child immunised, and the child might have a fever afterwards).

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Modelled on private British prisons, it is slightly costlier but vastly better than a state-run jail.Uniformed inmates in Mangaung study, use pristine sports equipment and do shifts in workshops and vegetable gardens.

The Economist

(There is a slightly costlier alternative, which involves cash being delivered to the doorstep, even in rural Myanmar: an informal network that migrants call "carry").One of the leading hundi dealers is located in Bangkok's central business district.

The Economist

In terms of computational efficiency, the OTSEM is more efficient than the Fekete-based TSEM, although it is slightly costlier than the QSEM when a comparable numerical accuracy is required.

Journal of Computational Physics

But more recent studies found that blind vaccination is only slightly more costly [ 20] or less costly than targeted vaccination [ 19].

BMC Public Health

He recently bought another heavy-duty, but slightly less costly machine at Staples for $350.

The New York Times

Even if mortgages become slightly more costly, they said, the housing market should continue to improve.

The New York Times

Mr. Burmaster's group opted for a slightly less costly Full Auto package: $399 for 10 machine guns.

The New York Times

Ms. Bradshaw says the commercial day care centers in her part of Manchester are only slightly more costly than the £25 she pays for a six-and-a-half-hour day at Sure Start.

The New York Times

Raising interest rates should encourage depositors to hold more money in their accounts and make it slightly more costly for individuals and corporations to borrow from banks, which would help reduce spending and ease upward pressure on prices.

The New York Times

The T. Rowe fund, with a 0.95 expense ratio, is slightly less costly than American Century's.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly costly" to downplay the expense, making it appear less significant to the audience. This is effective when you want to present something as affordable despite its price.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly costly" without providing specific details or comparisons. Instead of saying "the upgrade is slightly costly", specify the actual cost or compare it to a cheaper alternative to give your audience a clearer understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly costly" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that something has a cost associated with it, but that the cost is not substantial. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showing it describes expenses in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly costly" is a descriptive phrase used to indicate that something is somewhat expensive, but not prohibitively so. Ludwig AI analysis and examples show that it appears across diverse contexts such as science, news, and business. The phrase is grammatically correct and serves to downplay the cost. When using it, ensure the context provides a reference point for the cost. Alternatives include "somewhat expensive" and "a bit pricey". Though "slightly costly" is considered grammatically correct, avoid overuse by specifying the actual cost or providing a meaningful comparison, as vague use of the phrase is not very descriptive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat expensive

Replaces 'slightly' with 'somewhat', emphasizing a moderate level of expensiveness.

a bit pricey

Uses a more informal term, 'pricey', to indicate that something is somewhat expensive.

moderately expensive

Substitutes 'slightly' with 'moderately' for a more formal tone.

relatively costly

Emphasizes the cost in relation to something else, implying it's more expensive compared to alternatives.

marginally expensive

Indicates that the item is only just expensive, with a small margin above an acceptable price.

somewhat high-priced

A more descriptive alternative using 'high-priced' to indicate the cost.

a touch expensive

Uses 'a touch' to soften the statement, making it sound less critical.

a shade costly

Similar to 'a touch expensive', adding a subtle degree of expensiveness.

reasonably expensive

Implies that the cost is justifiable, although still on the higher side.

comparatively costly

Highlights that the item's cost is higher when compared to similar items.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly costly" to describe something that is a little more expensive than expected or another option. For example: "Although the organic option is "slightly costly", the health benefits are worth it."

What are some alternatives to "slightly costly"?

Alternatives to "slightly costly" include "somewhat expensive", "a bit pricey", or "moderately expensive". The best choice depends on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it better to say "slightly costly" or "a little expensive"?

"Slightly costly" and "a little expensive" are quite similar. "Slightly costly" might be perceived as slightly more formal. Choose the phrase that fits the overall tone of your writing or conversation.

What is the difference between "costly" and "slightly costly"?

"Costly" indicates a significant expense, whereas "slightly costly" suggests a minor or moderate expense. The addition of "slightly" softens the impact of the cost, implying it's manageable or not prohibitive.