too much to pay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "too much to pay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing that the cost of something is excessive or beyond what one is willing to spend. Example: "I wanted to buy that new phone, but the price is just too much to pay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That tiny price proved too much to pay.

The New Yorker

(This is too much to pay for bread when the restaurant remains obstinately cash-only).

The New Yorker

He tells the assistant director that twenty bucks is too much to pay him.

The New Yorker

Oh and by the way, £1 is too much to pay for three elastic bands.

Independent

"But it is too much to pay because the economy is bad".

The Guardian

"Groups of children, not too much to pay, more children to find talent.

The New York Times - Sports

If the price of an emotional boost is fraud, perhaps that's not too much to pay.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"It's simply too much to ever be paid back fully".

The New Yorker

They feared having to pay too much to recruit the people they needed.

The Economist

Many users only need their data to be located in their country and do not want to pay too much to receive verification result.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Doing so will ensure you do not pay too much to rent your space.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "too much to pay", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being paid for. For example, "That car is nice, but $50,000 is "too much to pay" for a vehicle."

Common error

Avoid using "too much to pay" solely based on price without considering the value or benefits offered. Sometimes, a higher price reflects higher quality or unique features, making it a worthwhile investment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too much to pay" typically functions as a predicate adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun. It expresses a subjective assessment that a price is excessive or unreasonable for a particular item or service. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "too much to pay" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that a price is considered excessive or unreasonable. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and commonly employed across various sources. Predominantly found in News & Media, it expresses a subjective judgment about value and willingness to spend. While alternatives such as "overpriced" or "not worth the price" exist, "too much to pay" is a direct and widely understood way to communicate a personal cost threshold.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not worth the price

Directly questions the value in relation to the cost.

overpriced

A single word expressing the idea of being too expensive.

prohibitive cost

Emphasizes that the cost prevents purchase.

unreasonable price

Highlights the unfairness of the price.

exorbitant price

Emphasizes the extremely high and often unfair nature of the price.

excessive cost

Focuses on the high price itself, omitting the act of paying.

out of my price range

Highlights that the price is beyond one's financial capacity.

costs an arm and a leg

An idiomatic expression for something very expensive.

rip-off

Indicates a strong feeling of being cheated due to the high price.

beyond my budget

Focuses on personal affordability rather than the price itself.

FAQs

When should I use "too much to pay"?

Use "too much to pay" when you believe the price of something exceeds its value or your willingness to spend. It implies a subjective judgment on the cost relative to perceived worth.

What are some alternatives to "too much to pay"?

Alternatives include "overpriced", "not worth the price", or "beyond my budget", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "too much to pay"?

Yes, "too much to pay" is grammatically correct and widely used in English. It functions as an infinitive phrase expressing an assessment of cost.

How does "too much to pay" differ from "expensive"?

"Expensive" is a general descriptor of high cost. "Too much to pay" implies a judgment that the price is excessive in a particular context, suggesting unwillingness to purchase even if one could afford it.