too pricey

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "too pricey" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively expensive or beyond what one is willing to pay. Example: "I wanted to buy that new smartphone, but it's too pricey for my budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Still too pricey?

The New York Times

"It's too pricey".

The New York Times

Too far, too pricey, too complicated.

The New York Times

At $890, it's just too pricey.

The New York Times

Too pricey for me, of course.

The New York Times - Travel

Redding, just next door, was too pricey.

The New York Times

The menu's too pricey for that.

The New York Times

But it was simply too pricey and too big.

The New York Times

"That was too pricey for us," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Digital detox" programmes are too pricey for many.

The Guardian - Tech

At $255,000, it was too pricey and too small.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "too pricey" with more precise language like "unaffordable" or "overpriced" when conveying specific financial constraints or value judgments.

Common error

While "too pricey" is acceptable in everyday conversation, avoid using it in formal business reports or academic papers. Opt for more professional alternatives such as "excessively expensive" or "prohibitively expensive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too pricey" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that something's cost is excessively high. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig show it describing items, services, and real estate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "too pricey" is a commonly used and grammatically sound adjectival phrase expressing that something is excessively expensive. While Ludwig AI confirms its general correctness, its informality suggests caution in formal settings where alternatives like "excessively expensive" might be more suitable. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it is used to express disapproval of a price or explain a purchasing decision. While widely understood, consider tailoring your vocabulary to fit your audience and writing context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively expensive

Emphasizes the excessive nature of the price.

prohibitively expensive

Highlights that the price makes purchase impossible or impractical.

unaffordable

Directly states the inability to pay.

beyond my budget

Personalizes the unaffordability to a specific financial situation.

overpriced

Focuses on the perceived unfairness of the price relative to value.

costs a fortune

Idiomatic expression for high cost.

out of my price range

Indicates that the item exceeds the speaker's acceptable price limit.

unreasonably high

Emphasizes the lack of justification for the price.

steep price

Uses "steep" to describe a price that is high or excessive.

exorbitant cost

Highlights the extreme and often unfair nature of the cost.

FAQs

What does "too pricey" mean?

"Too pricey" means something is considered excessively expensive or beyond what someone is willing to pay. It suggests that the price is higher than the perceived value or the available budget.

How can I use "too pricey" in a sentence?

You can use "too pricey" to describe items, services, or experiences that are unaffordable or not worth the cost. For example: "I wanted to buy the new phone, but it was "too pricey"".

What are some alternatives to saying "too pricey"?

Alternatives include "too expensive", "overpriced", "unaffordable", "prohibitively expensive", or "beyond my budget". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "too pricey" a formal or informal expression?

"Too pricey" is generally considered an informal expression. In formal settings, it's often better to use "too expensive" or other more professional alternatives.