very costly

USAGE SUMMARY

"very costly" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is expensive or has a high cost. It is often used to emphasize the degree of expense. Example: "The new car was very costly, but it was worth every penny."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some are very costly.

The Economist

They've been very costly.

The New York Times - Sports

That's very, very costly.

Stanford University

"It is very costly".

The Guardian

It was very costly.

The Guardian

"It could be very costly".

The New York Times

"It's possible, but very costly".

The New York Times

It's very costly and stressful.

Independent

That might be very costly.

The Guardian - Sport

Film clips are very costly.

The New York Times

That would be very costly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very costly" when you want to emphasize the high expense of something, but consider more specific synonyms if you want to convey a particular nuance, such as impossibility of purchase ("prohibitively expensive") or potential for financial harm ("financially ruinous").

Common error

While "very costly" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in your writing. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "expensive", "pricey", or more descriptive alternatives depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very costly" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It typically describes something that has a high price or entails significant expense. Ludwig provides examples across various domains where the phrase indicates a substantial financial burden or negative consequence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

14%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

14%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very costly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase used to denote something with a high price or significant negative consequences. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across diverse fields. While applicable in both formal and informal contexts, it is essential to vary vocabulary to avoid repetition. Ludwig's analysis reveals that the phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki sources, highlighting its broad applicability. When writing, remember that the emphasis is on conveying a considerable financial burden or negative consequence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prohibitively expensive

Emphasizes the expense makes something impossible to afford.

exceedingly pricey

Informal, highlights a high price tag.

highly-priced

Formal and emphasizes the high value associated with the price.

astronomically expensive

Highlights an extremely high and perhaps unreasonable cost.

unfeasibly expensive

Suggests the cost makes something impractical or unworkable.

inordinately expensive

Stresses the expense is excessive or beyond normal levels.

remarkably expensive

Highlights the expense is noteworthy or surprising.

financially ruinous

Focuses on potential financial devastation as a consequence.

cripplingly expensive

Implies the expense severely restricts or damages something.

economically unsustainable

Suggests the cost cannot be maintained over time.

FAQs

How can I use "very costly" in a sentence?

You can use "very costly" to describe expenses, mistakes, or decisions. For example, "Ignoring safety regulations can be "very costly" for a company".

What are some alternatives to "very costly"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "prohibitively expensive", "exceedingly pricey", or "highly-priced".

Is it more appropriate to say "very costly" or "extremely costly"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and express a high cost. "Very costly" is more common, but "extremely costly" can be used for emphasis. There is no significant difference in meaning, but stylistic preference may vary.

In what situations is it best to use the phrase "very costly"?

Use "very costly" when you want to clearly communicate that something involves a significant financial burden or negative consequence. It's appropriate in both formal and informal settings.