unaffordable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'unaffordable' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is too expensive to buy or something that is not within a person's budget. For example: "The cost of a new car was unaffordable for me so I decided to buy a used one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In its analysis, Moat housing association, which provides social housing across the south-east of England, found that every three-bedroom social home across all 35 areas it operates would become instantly unaffordable for residents receiving full housing benefit if the cap were reduced to £23,000 and that all two-bedroom homes would be unaffordable within six years.

The Guardian

The majority of one-bedroom homes in the south-east would be unaffordable within 10 years.

The Guardian

I remember asking Newham's mayor Sir Robin Wales about Queens Market on his patch, which he had plans to revamp, and complaints that it would become too posh and unaffordable to the local people who used it.

The Guardian

That looks premature, but the current dividend looks plain unaffordable.

The Guardian - Business

Neil exposed the fact that the party's much-touted citizen's income had not been accurately costed and was unaffordable.

The Guardian

Between them, the property developers, commercial landlords and PR agencies have turned London into shorthand for banks, unaffordable flats and restaurants serving caramel-coated bricks (yes, bricks).

The Guardian

But by then land prices had already begun their stomach-churning ascent, making downtown unaffordable to most immigrants.

The Guardian

Robbie Keane would not be many people's idea of a messiah, but to Celtic supporters buffeted by disappointment throughout a trying season selectivity is an unaffordable luxury.

The Guardian - Sport

In countries where sanitary products are inaccessible or unaffordable, menstruation can mean missed school for girls (UNICEF estimates 10% of African girls don't attend school during their periods) and an increased dropout rate, missed work for women and repeated vaginal infections because of unsanitary menstrual products.

The Guardian - Opinion

Except that the hundreds given to people sleeping on the street has been deemed unaffordable.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Three-bedroom properties will be completely wiped out and even two-beds, in most areas we operate, become unaffordable within two years," said Angelo Sommariva, policy manager at Moat. "In deprived areas you might find that it takes an extra couple of years to become unaffordable, but all you're really doing is buying time.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the underlying reasons why something is "unaffordable". Is it due to low income, high prices, or a combination of both?

Common error

Avoid stating that something is "unaffordable" without considering different income levels or regional variations. What's unaffordable in one area might be manageable in another.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unaffordable" primarily functions as a qualifier, describing something that is too expensive for someone to purchase or maintain. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage. It directly modifies nouns, indicating a lack of financial accessibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "unaffordable" is a common adjective used to describe something that is too expensive for someone to buy or maintain. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and economic discussions. When using "unaffordable", it's important to be specific about who finds it unaffordable to avoid overgeneralizations. Related terms include "prohibitively expensive" and "beyond one's means". Remember to consider the underlying reasons why something is "unaffordable", be it low income, high prices, or a combination of factors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prohibitively expensive

Highlights the high cost preventing purchase or access.

beyond one's means

Focuses on the individual's inability to pay.

out of reach financially

Emphasizes the financial inaccessibility.

cost-prohibitive

Highlights that the cost is the primary barrier.

excessively priced

Indicates the price is too high relative to value.

overpriced

Suggests the item's price exceeds its worth.

unreasonably expensive

Implies the pricing lacks justification.

financially unfeasible

Highlights the lack of financial viability.

not within budget

Focuses on budgetary constraints.

economically unsustainable

Suggests long-term financial issues if pursued.

FAQs

How can I use "unaffordable" in a sentence?

You can use "unaffordable" to describe anything that is too expensive to purchase or maintain, such as, "Housing in the city center has become "prohibitively expensive" and "unaffordable" for many families."

What are some alternatives to the word "unaffordable"?

Alternatives include "prohibitively expensive", "beyond one's means", and "out of reach financially". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more accurate to say "unaffordable" or "expensive"?

"Expensive" simply means high in price, while "unaffordable" implies that the price is too high relative to someone's ability to pay. "Expensive" is more general, and "unaffordable" is more specific.

What makes something "unaffordable"?

Something is considered "unaffordable" when its cost exceeds a reasonable portion of one's income or budget, making it difficult or impossible to acquire without significant financial strain. Often, it is "economically unsustainable".