somewhat more expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat more expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing prices, indicating that one item costs a little more than another. Example: "The new model is somewhat more expensive than the previous version, but it offers additional features."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Eating clubs are somewhat more expensive than other dining options.

Princeton University

It's like naming post offices, only somewhat more expensive.

The New York Times

Canadian gasoline is somewhat more expensive than in the US — but not European-level expensive.

The New York Times

Somewhat more expensive but superb was my companion's braised beef short rib.

The New York Times

Side dishes can be ordered separately and can substitute for the somewhat more expensive starters.

The New York Times

Alternatives to lead exist, but, owing to low production of them, they're currently somewhat more expensive.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

The extraction of LV-ET is somewhat more computationally expensive than DT.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Phosphate-based soil enrichers are somewhat more difficult and expensive.

The New York Times

The main difference is that the data-mining tools involved make this a somewhat more sophisticated and expensive exercise, with the cartoons being generated by multimillion-dollar instruments.

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry

Twenty years after the Super Bowl first became as big a day for advertising as it is for professional football, Madison Avenue is gearing up for what looks to be a cheerier, somewhat sillier and certainly more expensive version of the annual midwinter festival of commercialism.

The New York Times

As the country moved to the right in the later 1970s and '80's, Hillary Clinton became a more moderately liberal Democrat, somewhat more skeptical of big, expensive government programs, tougher on crime and more supportive of military strength as a way to deter aggression.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somewhat more expensive" to downplay a price difference when you don't want to deter the user or reader with a high cost.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat more expensive" when the price difference is substantial. This can mislead readers and damage your credibility. Choose a more accurate descriptor like "significantly more expensive" or "considerably pricier".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat more expensive" functions as a modifier, specifically a comparative adjective phrase. It describes the degree to which something's price exceeds that of another item. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's common usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

25%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "somewhat more expensive" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a slight increase in cost. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across diverse contexts like news, science, and academia. When using this phrase, be specific about what you are comparing and why the increased cost is justified. While the phrase is suitable for both formal and informal communication, avoid overstating the price difference. Consider alternatives like "slightly pricier" or "a bit costlier" for slight variations. Overall, "somewhat more expensive" is a versatile phrase for clear and effective communication about pricing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly pricier

Indicates a small difference in price, emphasizing the slightly higher cost.

a bit costlier

Similar to 'slightly pricier' but uses a different term for price to vary word choice.

marginally higher in price

Emphasizes that the difference in price is small and almost negligible.

modestly more costly

Replaces "expensive" with "costly" and "somewhat" with "modestly" to introduce new wording.

incrementally more expensive

Focuses on the price increasing in small steps.

fractionally more costly

Like 'marginally', 'fractionally' highlights a very small increase in cost.

a shade more expensive

Uses idiomatic language to soften the comparison.

noticeably more costly

Suggests the increase in price is apparent but not substantial.

somewhat higher priced

Focuses on "price" as the attribute.

a tad more expensive

An informal expression that indicates a slight increase in price.

FAQs

What does "somewhat more expensive" mean?

The phrase "somewhat more expensive" indicates that something costs slightly more than something else. The extent of the difference is not major, but noticeable. For larger price differences, consider using phrases like "much more expensive" or "significantly more expensive".

How to use "somewhat more expensive" in a sentence?

You can use "somewhat more expensive" when comparing costs. For example: "The new version is "somewhat more expensive", but it comes with additional features.".

What can I say instead of "somewhat more expensive"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly pricier", "a bit costlier", or "marginally higher in price" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "somewhat more expensive" in formal writing?

Yes, "somewhat more expensive" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a neutral and clear way to indicate a minor price difference. However, in highly formal contexts, consider alternatives like "modestly more costly".