unacceptably expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unacceptably expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is priced beyond what is considered reasonable or acceptable. Example: "The new software subscription is unacceptably expensive for our budget, and we need to find a more affordable option."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He regarded taxis as unacceptably expensive.

The Guardian

Now two competing health-care bills, both unacceptably expensive in their current forms, are winding their way through the Senate and seem to be on a collision course, while in the House there is a third bill that must be melded into a compromise Senate version.

The Economist

Further naval construction was unacceptably expensive at a time when social welfare provision was making calls on the budget.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Unfortunately, in many circumstances, a gold standard is not available due to the fact that the gold standard is unacceptably invasive, prohibitively expensive, or simply non-existent [6 9].

EJNMMI Research

Indeed, some became convinced that, even if it could be done in principle, in practice the process would be unacceptably slow, unreliable, and computationally expensive (by the time the robot knew what was going on, things would have changed).

SEP

In a world where nuclear and offshore energy were too expensive, wind farming was unacceptably ugly and fossil fuels too dirty, it offered a state-of-the-art solution to the energy crisis, and could produce half the energy currently provided by north sea gas in 50 years' time.

The Guardian - Books

In a world where nuclear and offshore energy were too expensive, wind farming was unacceptably ugly and fossil fuels too dirty, it offered a state-of-the-art solution and could produce half the energy currently provided by north sea gas in 50 years' time.

The Guardian - Books

Another employee remembered being castigated by Mrs. Wachner at a meeting of division presidents after a batch of shirts had arrived from a factory at an unacceptably low quality level; he later learned that Mrs. Wachner had changed his order from including an enzyme wash to a less expensive garment wash, altering the quality, without informing him.

The New York Times

Premiums are already unacceptably high.

The New York Times

But this is unacceptably informal for some.

The Economist

But often WolframAlpha can be unacceptably nerdy.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unacceptably expensive", ensure that the context clearly indicates whose standards of acceptability are being applied. Are you referring to a personal budget, a company's financial constraints, or a societal norm?

Common error

Avoid using "unacceptably expensive" when a more moderate term like "somewhat expensive" or "pricey" would suffice. Reserve it for situations where the cost is truly a barrier or a major point of contention.

Linguistic Context

Grammatical function: "Unacceptably expensive" acts as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its cost. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. For instance, in the examples provided by Ludwig, it modifies "taxis", "health-care bills", and "naval construction", highlighting that their prices or costs are beyond what is deemed reasonable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unacceptably expensive" is a grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe something whose price exceeds reasonable limits. Ludwig AI validates its correctness for expressing disapproval of cost. While not extremely common, it appears across various domains like news, science, and general knowledge, particularly in contexts requiring an objective evaluation of expenses. When using the phrase, ensure clarity on whose standards of acceptability are being invoked and avoid exaggerating the severity when a milder description would suffice. Alternatives like "prohibitively costly" or "excessively priced" can offer nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unaffordably expensive

Combines both concepts, directly stating it's beyond affordability.

prohibitively costly

Emphasizes that the cost prevents someone from being able to afford something.

exorbitantly expensive

Highlights the extremely high and often unfair cost.

excessively priced

Focuses on the price exceeding what is considered normal or fair.

beyond reasonable cost

Implies cost exceeds what is justified or sensible.

unreasonably high in price

Highlights the lack of justification for the high cost.

at an unacceptable price point

Focuses on the specific price being the problem.

inordinately expensive

Indicates the cost is beyond what is appropriate or moderate.

overpriced to an unacceptable degree

Emphasizes the level to which something is overpriced is not acceptable.

outrageously priced

Suggests the price is shocking or offensive.

FAQs

How can I use "unacceptably expensive" in a sentence?

You can use "unacceptably expensive" to describe something that costs far too much. For example: "The new healthcare plan is "unacceptably expensive" for many families."

What are some alternatives to "unacceptably expensive"?

Alternatives include "prohibitively costly", "excessively priced", or "unaffordably expensive". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "unacceptably expensive" a formal or informal phrase?

"Unacceptably expensive" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's a fairly neutral expression that avoids overly technical or slangy language.

What makes something "unacceptably expensive"?

Something is "unacceptably expensive" when its price is considered to be beyond what is reasonable or justifiable, making it difficult or impossible to acquire within a given budget or standard of living.