sounds really expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sounds really expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing the impression that something appears to have a high cost or value, often in a casual or conversational context. Example: "That new car model sounds really expensive; I can't believe how much they are charging for it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I'm like, O.K., that sounds really expensive and really difficult," she said.

The New York Times

This all sounds really expensive.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He sounds like squirting some really, really expensive, really, really nice smelling hand wash over silk sheets, on the balmiest evening of the year.

Vice

($680 to $850) If all that sounds really wonderful and really too expensive, there may be a simpler solution to ease your back pain at work.

The New York Times

Really expensive.

The Economist

"Retirement is really expensive.

The New York Times

It's really expensive".

The New Yorker

Really expensive adverts.

The Guardian - Film

It sounds really, really good.

Independent

It wants to be really, really expensive.

The New Yorker

It sounds really weird.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sounds really expensive" in informal settings or when conveying a subjective impression about the cost of something. It's less formal than saying "appears to be costly."

Common error

Avoid using "sounds really expensive" in formal business reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise and professional language like "high cost" or "significant investment."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sounds really expensive" functions as a subjective assessment of cost. It expresses an impression or perception rather than a factual statement of price. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, highlighting its common usage in expressing perceived high cost.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sounds really expensive" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to convey the impression of high cost, according to Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to subjectively assess cost based on perception rather than explicit price. While correct, it is suitable for informal communication and may be substituted for more precise language in formal settings. Related phrases like "seems quite pricey" or "appears to be costly" offer alternative ways to express the same idea with varying degrees of formality. To avoid misinterpretations, avoid overusing in formal contexts where more objective data might be requested by your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems quite pricey

Replaces "sounds" with "seems" and "really expensive" with the single word "pricey", making it more concise.

appears to be costly

Uses more formal vocabulary like "appears" and "costly", shifting the tone.

has a high price tag

Emphasizes the actual cost rather than the perceived impression.

is quite a splurge

Suggests that something is an indulgence and therefore expensive.

carries a hefty price

Uses "hefty" to emphasize the size or weight of the cost.

is beyond my budget

Focuses on the speaker's inability to afford it.

costs an arm and a leg

An idiomatic expression indicating extreme expensiveness.

is not exactly cheap

Understates the expensiveness for humorous or ironic effect.

is more than I can afford

Similar to 'beyond my budget' but perhaps implies a desire for the item.

will break the bank

Implies that something is so expensive it will deplete one's savings.

FAQs

How can I use "sounds really expensive" in a sentence?

You can use "sounds really expensive" when something gives the impression of being costly, even if the exact price isn't known. For example, "That new car model "sounds really expensive"; I can't imagine affording it."

What can I say instead of "sounds really expensive"?

You can use alternatives like "seems quite pricey", "appears to be costly", or "has a high price tag" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "sounds expensively"?

No, "sounds expensively" is not grammatically correct. The correct form is "sounds really expensive", where "really" modifies the adjective "expensive".

What is the difference between "sounds expensive" and "sounds really expensive"?

"Sounds expensive" implies that something gives the impression of being costly. "Sounds really expensive" intensifies this impression, suggesting it's perceived as significantly more costly.