too expensive for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "too expensive for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the cost of something in relation to a specific person, group, or situation, indicating that the price is beyond what is affordable or reasonable for them. Example: "The new smartphone is too expensive for most students on a tight budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But too expensive for me.

The New Yorker

But they were too expensive for me".

The New York Times - Magazine

"Too expensive for small business".

The New York Times

"It's just too expensive for our population.

The New York Times

However, ILs are generally considered too expensive for industrial applications.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

"It was too expensive for us.

The Guardian

-- too expensive for what you get.

The New York Times

"It is currently too expensive for airlines.

The Guardian

Are they too expensive for us now?

The New York Times - Health

It's too expensive for a start.

The Guardian

It was too expensive, for one thing.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "unaffordable" or "out of reach" to add variety to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "too expensive for" without clearly specifying who or what is finding the item expensive. For example, instead of "The product is too expensive", specify "The product is too expensive for small businesses" to provide necessary context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too expensive for" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It expresses that the cost associated with something exceeds what is considered affordable or reasonable for a particular entity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "too expensive for" is a versatile phrase used to express that the cost of something exceeds the financial means of a specific entity. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and very common across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While it functions as an adjectival phrase, its purpose is to convey financial constraints. Synonyms include "unaffordable for" and "out of reach for". Remember to clearly define who or what finds the item too expensive to maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unaffordable for

Direct synonym focusing on the inability to afford something.

too costly for

A simple and direct synonym, focusing on high cost.

beyond the budget of

Emphasizes that the cost exceeds the allocated funds.

out of reach for

Suggests the item or service is unattainable due to its price.

prohibitively priced for

Highlights that the price acts as a barrier.

costs more than someone can afford

A more verbose way to say that something is too expensive.

not within the financial means of

Formal expression indicating a lack of financial capacity.

beyond someone's ability to pay

Focuses on the direct inability to cover the cost.

exceeds the affordable price range for

Explicitly states that the item's cost goes over what is affordable.

not economical for

Emphasizes the lack of cost-effectiveness, making it unsuitable.

FAQs

How can I use "too expensive for" in a sentence?

You can use "too expensive for" to indicate that something is unaffordable or exceeds a specific budget. For example, "The luxury apartment is "too expensive for" recent graduates".

What are some alternatives to saying "too expensive for"?

Alternatives include "unaffordable for", "out of reach for", or "beyond the budget of", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "too expensive to" instead of "too expensive for"?

While "too expensive to" can be grammatically correct, it has a different meaning. "Too expensive to" usually implies an action is not feasible due to cost (e.g., "too expensive to maintain"), whereas "too expensive for" indicates something is unaffordable for a specific entity.

What is the difference between "too expensive for" and "uneconomical for"?

"Too expensive for" generally means something is unaffordable. "Uneconomical for", on the other hand, suggests that something is not cost-effective or doesn't provide enough value for the price. For instance, "The repairs were "too expensive for" our budget", versus "Using this method is "uneconomical for" large-scale production".