somewhat costly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat costly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that has a moderate or relatively high price, indicating that it is not excessively expensive but still requires a significant amount of money. Example: "The new software is somewhat costly, but its features justify the investment for our business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The "Mass Destruction" moniker went to a particularly long, somewhat costly date imported from Iraq.

The New York Times

The first — admitting that the intervention was a mistake — is humiliating and somewhat costly in various ways.

The New Yorker

Weekend visitors fill the 230 seats, and hundreds more spill onto the sandy sidewalk, waiting up to a silly four hours for succulent, somewhat costly East Coast seafood.

The New York Times

When it comes to shutting down a city, it's very unlikely that we're going to make a habit of this sort of thing: it's immensely costly for the government, somewhat costly to the economy, and except in very extraordinary instances, people don't like it.

The New York Times

This behavior introduces significant overhead as context switches are somewhat costly on the host system.

Journal of Cloud Computing

This could be a great, but somewhat costly, solution for notebooks or towers alike.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Max appears somewhat costlier too, sleeker, as does 99 (leggy, pretty, harmless Anne Hathaway).

The New York Times

The longer pipeline to Austria was expected to be somewhat costlier to build and operate than the route to Italy.

The New York Times

This package will be somewhat costlier and harder to assemble than an IKEA bookshelf, and he cannot hope to accomplish it alone.As Obamamania grips the planet, it is easy to forget that power in America is divided.

The Economist

It was a pretty costly way to do it, but it achieved its goal.' The goals in Iraq, he concedes, are somewhat less clear.

The Guardian - Books

Deposit advances are somewhat less costly, at about $10 per $100 borrowed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "somewhat costly", consider the audience and context. It implies the cost is noticeable but not prohibitive. Use it when you want to acknowledge expense without deterring the reader completely.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat costly" when the item or service is, in fact, significantly expensive. This can mislead the reader. Choose a more appropriate phrase like "very expensive" or "prohibitively costly" if the cost is a major barrier.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat costly" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes the degree to which something is expensive. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "somewhat costly" is a common and grammatically sound adjectival phrase used to describe something that is moderately expensive. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English and suitable across a range of contexts, from news and media to scientific publications. It strikes a balance, indicating a price point above average without being prohibitively expensive. When using this phrase, it's important to consider whether the level of expense is appropriately conveyed; avoid using it when the cost is significantly high or surprisingly low.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately priced

Refers to an item or service that is neither cheap nor overly expensive, suggesting a balance in cost.

relatively expensive

Indicates that compared to other options, the item or service is on the higher end of the price range.

fairly pricey

Suggests that the cost is above average but not excessively so.

not cheap

A simple way of saying that something is more expensive than expected or desired.

a bit on the high side

Describes the cost as slightly elevated, implying it might be a concern.

reasonably expensive

Highlights that the cost is justifiable given the item's quality or features, even if it is not low.

kind of expensive

A less formal way to indicate that something is somewhat costly.

not inexpensive

A polite way of saying that something is more expensive than you would like it to be.

somewhat overpriced

Indicates a degree of cost beyond fair market value.

cost a pretty penny

An idiom used to describe something that is somewhat costly.

FAQs

What does "somewhat costly" mean?

The phrase "somewhat costly" suggests that something is moderately expensive. It is more expensive than something cheap, but not extremely or prohibitively expensive.

What can I say instead of "somewhat costly"?

You can use alternatives like "moderately priced", "relatively expensive", or "fairly pricey" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "somewhat costly" or "some what costly"?

"Somewhat costly" is the correct spelling. "Some what costly" is grammatically incorrect.

Is "somewhat costly" a formal or informal expression?

The phrase "somewhat costly" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is a neutral way to describe the expense of something.