unfair prices

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfair prices" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe any situation in which you think the prices are not appropriate or just. For example, "Many small businesses have been hard hit by unfair prices set by their larger competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

It curbs customers' ability to resell gas, which allows it to charge "unfair prices" in five countries: Bulgaria, Poland and the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

The Economist

Gazprom, the gas giant controlled by the Russian government, is under investigation by the European Commission, which is looking into whether the company imposes unfair prices on customers in central and eastern Europe.

The New York Times

"We suspect that Gazprom has been hindering the free flow of gas across member states and the diversification of sources of supply" and "has imposed unfair prices on its customers," said Joaquín Almunia, the European Union competition commissioner.

The New York Times

It accused the private bank of selling securities and derivatives at "unfair" prices to their clients, many of whom appear to have been rich but unworldly, without explaining the risks.

The Economist

The premise of the case, brought by U.S. manufacturers, is that Chinese manufacturers have been exporting their panels — cheaper than U.S. equivalents because of Chinese government largesse — at unfair prices.

The New York Times

In September 2012 the commission began an antitrust investigation, to examine whether Gazprom was hindering the free flow of gas across the European Union, blocking rival suppliers in central and eastern member states and imposing unfair prices through oil indexation.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

The complaint accused the Mexican growers of selling tomatoes at an unfair price.

The New York Times

She had no other choice but to sell these paintings at an unfair price".

The New York Times

Boeing and its allies have reasonable concerns that subsidies will give an unfair price advantage to EADS's Airbus.

The New York Times

Unfair pricing from international UK tax dodgers puts our long-term ability to survive and grow under threat".

The Guardian - Business

But it also leads to unfair pricing for riders and drivers, they say, and could easily lead to the system being manipulated.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "unfair prices", be specific about why the prices are considered unfair. Provide context, such as comparison to market value, cost of production, or competitor pricing.

Common error

Avoid labeling prices as "unfair" without providing evidence or reasoning. Unsupported claims can weaken your argument and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfair prices" functions as a noun phrase, where 'unfair' is an adjective modifying the noun 'prices'. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules and it is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unfair prices" is a commonly used phrase to express disapproval of costs deemed unjust, unethical, or unreasonable. Grammatically sound and primarily used in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts, the phrase, according to Ludwig AI, adheres to standard grammatical rules. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide specific context and reasoning to support the claim of unfairness. Alternatives like "unjust prices" or "exploitative pricing" can add nuance to the message. Remember, labeling prices as unfair requires justification to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unjust prices

Emphasizes the moral dimension of the price being wrong or not in accordance with justice.

exploitative pricing

Highlights the act of taking advantage of someone through pricing.

excessive charges

Focuses on the amount being too high or unreasonable.

inflated costs

Indicates that the prices have been artificially increased.

discriminatory pricing

Suggests that different prices are being charged based on unfair criteria.

predatory pricing

Implies that prices are set low to eliminate competition, with the intention of raising them later.

unreasonable fees

Focuses on the fees being unjustified or not sensible.

gouging prices

Emphasizes taking advantage of a temporary situation like a disaster to raise prices.

unequitable pricing

Highlights the lack of fairness and equality in the pricing structure.

abusive market pricing

Implies a dominant market position is used to set exploitative prices.

FAQs

How can I use "unfair prices" in a sentence?

You can use "unfair prices" to describe situations where the cost of goods or services is considered unjust, such as, "Consumers are protesting against the "unfair prices" of prescription drugs."

What is another way to say "unfair prices"?

Alternatives to "unfair prices" include "unjust prices", "excessive charges", or "exploitative pricing", depending on the specific context.

What makes prices "unfair"?

Prices can be considered "unfair" if they are significantly higher than the cost of production, if they exploit vulnerable consumers, or if they are the result of anti-competitive practices like price gouging.

What is the difference between "unfair prices" and "high prices"?

"High prices" simply indicate that something is expensive. "Unfair prices" suggest that the cost is not only high but also unjust or unethical, often due to market manipulation or exploitation.