somewhat expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that is not overly or exorbitantly expensive, but costly in comparison to similar items. For example, you could say "This new laptop is somewhat expensive, but it has all the features I need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"But it's somewhat expensive, so you are looking at an affluent client".

The New York Times - Travel

Finding dried stock made without celery can be very difficult and fresh beef stocks are somewhat expensive.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Although pulse oximeter sensors — which measure blood-oxygen saturation levels and pulse rate — are already available, they tend to be inconvenient and somewhat expensive.

University of California, Berkeley

While prices are dropping for the predictive and analytic software offered by the likes of SAS and EMC, the products are generally considered somewhat expensive.

The New York Times

[laughs] "Ted" was an idea that happened to be somewhat expensive, compared to other comedies and certainly other R-rated comedies.

The New York Times

The "peripherals" of the novel's title are a commonplace, if somewhat expensive, tool — essentially surrogate bodies, controlled remotely as if they were the user's own.

The New Yorker

WINE LIST A diverse, comprehensive and somewhat expensive sampling from the New and Old Worlds, with too few truly appealing reds under $60 a bottle.

The New York Times - Food

River Cottage cookery courses "A River Cottage cookery day is a somewhat expensive option, but great," says Kate. "Unlike some more precious operations, children of all ages are welcome, provided they are accompanied.

Independent

Even if the tenant wins in court, Mr. Treiman added, he or she would then have to turn over the judgment to a city marshal to have it enforced, a process that can also be time consuming and somewhat expensive.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

We'll start seeing more and more of these universal notebook docking stations (I'm currently reviewing one by StarTech) but Sony gets out of the gate quickly with the somewhat-expensive VGP-UPR1 USB docking station with DisplayLink technology.

TechCrunch

You may not want to use your modern, somewhat-expensive "basic" lens.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing products or services, use "somewhat expensive" to manage expectations. It suggests the price is above average, encouraging potential buyers to consider the value proposition more carefully.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat expensive" repeatedly in the same text. Vary your language with synonyms like "moderately costly" or "a bit pricey" to keep your writing engaging and prevent sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat expensive" primarily functions as a pre-modifying adjective describing a noun. It qualifies the degree of expensiveness, indicating that something is not cheap but also not excessively costly. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across many examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

22%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "somewhat expensive" is a versatile and common phrase used to describe something that is more costly than average but not prohibitively so. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Wiki, and Science. While grammatically sound, it's important to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "moderately costly" or "a bit pricey" for varied writing. Remember to use this phrase to effectively manage expectations regarding cost, helping your audience assess value appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately costly

Replaces "expensive" with "costly" and "somewhat" with "moderately", altering the wording while retaining the core meaning.

kind of expensive

Uses the more colloquial "kind of" instead of "somewhat", making the phrase sound more casual.

relatively high-priced

Substitutes "expensive" with "high-priced" and "somewhat" with "relatively", offering a more formal tone.

a little costly

Uses "a little" to replace "somewhat" and "costly" to replace "expensive," providing a slightly less formal tone.

a bit pricey

Uses the informal term "pricey" instead of "expensive" and "a bit" for "somewhat", creating a more casual tone.

not exactly cheap

Expresses the idea indirectly by stating what it is not, using a more conversational style.

not inexpensive

Offers a double negative, implying it is more than just inexpensive without being overly expensive.

on the higher side of cost

Rephrases the concept using a more descriptive approach, emphasizing the relative cost.

fairly dear

Replaces "expensive" with the less common "dear" and "somewhat" with "fairly", altering the tone slightly.

somewhat overpriced

Changes the focus slightly to suggest that the price may be higher than the item's actual value.

FAQs

What does "somewhat expensive" mean?

The phrase "somewhat expensive" indicates that something costs more than average but isn't excessively or prohibitively priced. It suggests a moderate level of expense.

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

You might say, "The new smartphone is "somewhat expensive", but it has advanced features," or "Hiring a professional photographer is "somewhat expensive", but the quality is worth it".

What are some alternatives to "somewhat expensive"?

You can use alternatives like "moderately costly", "a bit pricey", or "relatively high-priced" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "somewhat expensive" or "slightly expensive"?

"Somewhat expensive" and "slightly expensive" are similar, but "somewhat" suggests a slightly higher degree of expense than "slightly". The best choice depends on the specific context and the intended nuance.