the costly items

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the costly items" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to items that are expensive or have a high price tag. Example: "The store is known for its luxury goods, and many customers are drawn to the costly items displayed in the front window."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

With this base, various formulations has been arrived by adding various commercial ingredients by considering fade and recovery property also and tested by reducing the costly items in the formulation.

Procedia Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

At the time, Kraft released a statement indicating the costly item was given to Putin as a gift when they met at a conference of business executives near St . Petersburg

Huffington Post

One of the costliest items will be planes for two new aircraft carriers.

The Guardian

The costlier items are returned with tact and the perishable food is eaten, according to the girl at headquarters.

The New Yorker

In an ambitious effort to revamp one of the costliest items in the city school budget, Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani intends to call on the Board of Education today to privatize the job of evaluating children who are referred by their teachers to special education, Board officials said yesterday.

The New York Times

In Rome — the plane tickets were surely the costliest items in this production — Isabella attends a class at some kind of exorcism academy, where bright young things in clerical black discuss how to tell the difference between the mentally ill and the possessed.

The New York Times

On its own, it is $48, the costliest item on the menu by far.

The New York Times - Food

The costliest item is a black lamb-leather cap with an 18-karat gold "24" on the front.

Los Angeles Times

A computer is the costliest item listed above but then it is also a basic requirement for people these days.

WikiHow

This MV Agusta does share some qualities of those costly items.

The New York Times

Cocaine production has more than doubled in the last five years despite an American-financed program of spraying from the air to eradicate coca crops -- a program that is supposed to expand significantly when American Blackhawk and Huey helicopters, the most costly items in the new aid package, begin arriving in the next few months.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing budgets or cost-saving measures, use "the costly items" to clearly identify areas where expenses can be reduced.

Common error

Avoid using "the costly items" as a generic term for all expenses; instead, reserve it for specific, high-value objects or services.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the costly items" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies specific things that are expensive or involve significant expense. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the costly items" is a grammatically correct and widely used noun phrase that identifies specific items that are expensive or have a high impact on resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly acceptable in written English. Its primary function is to draw attention to significant expenses in various contexts. While generally neutral in tone, its appropriateness depends on the writing's overall formality. When using this phrase, be mindful of specifying high-value objects and not using it for general expenses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the high-priced goods

Replaces "costly" with "high-priced", emphasizing the elevated price point.

the expensive commodities

Substitutes "items" with "commodities", implying a raw material or primary agricultural product.

the premium products

Uses "premium" to denote higher quality and price.

the valuable articles

Replaces "costly" with "valuable", focusing on the worth rather than the price.

the upscale merchandise

Emphasizes a higher class or status associated with the items.

the luxury possessions

Highlights the opulence and extravagance of the items.

the top-tier selections

Focuses on the items being among the best or highest quality.

the big-ticket purchases

Highlights items that involve a significant financial outlay.

the investment pieces

Suggests that the items are bought with the expectation of future appreciation or long-term value.

the extravagant acquisitions

Emphasizes the lavish and indulgent nature of obtaining these items.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "the costly items"?

You can use alternatives such as "the expensive goods", "the high-priced items", or "the premium products" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "the costly items" in formal writing?

Yes, "the costly items" is appropriate for formal writing. However, consider the audience and context; more specific terms might be preferable for precision.

How can I rephrase "the costly items" to sound more professional?

Consider using phrases like "high-value assets" or "significant expenditures" to convey a more professional tone, especially in business or financial contexts.

What's the difference between "the costly items" and "the expensive items"?

While similar, "costly" often implies a greater impact or consequence beyond just price. "Expensive" simply refers to a high price, while "costly" can also suggest something that requires a significant investment of resources.