very expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you might use it in a sentence such as: "That new car is very expensive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everything is very expensive.

The New York Times

This is very expensive.

The Economist

[7] Very expensive.

The New York Times

Very expensive indeed.

The New York Times

It's very expensive.

The New York Times

And very expensive.

The New York Times - Tech

A very expensive version.

The New York Times

"It was very expensive.

The New Yorker

"They're very expensive.

The New Yorker

Very, very expensive.

The New York Times

It's just very expensive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing extreme cost, consider stronger alternatives like "prohibitively expensive" or "astronomically expensive" for a more impactful statement.

Common error

Avoid simply stating something is "very expensive" without providing context or comparison. Instead, quantify the cost or explain why it is considered high to give the statement more weight.

Linguistic Context

"Very expensive" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. According to Ludwig AI, this is correct and usable in written English. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun's cost is high. For example, "That new car is very expensive."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very expensive" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something of high cost. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and its prevalence in contexts like news and media, business, and general conversation indicates its widespread understanding. While effective, stronger alternatives like "prohibitively costly" can be considered for greater emphasis. To avoid overuse, provide additional context instead of just saying something is "very expensive". This phrase is often used for a variety of purposes, from informing to expressing disapproval. Be sure to consult the examples provided by Ludwig to see it in action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incredibly costly

Replaces "very" with "incredibly" to denote high cost.

highly-priced

Emphasizes the elevated price level, differing in word choice.

exorbitantly priced

Focuses on the excessive nature of the price.

prohibitively costly

Indicates that the cost is so high it prevents purchase, stronger emphasis.

astronomically expensive

Highlights the extreme level of expensiveness, more dramatic.

eye-wateringly expensive

Suggests the price is shockingly high, using a more figurative expression.

unreasonably expensive

Expresses that the price is not justified.

overpriced

Indicates that the price is higher than the value.

dear

A simpler and slightly more formal term for expensive.

premium-priced

Suggests that the high price reflects superior quality or exclusivity.

FAQs

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

You can use "very expensive" to describe items, services, or experiences that have a high cost. For instance, "The antique car was "very expensive", costing more than a new house".

What are some alternatives to saying "very expensive"?

Alternatives include "prohibitively costly", "astronomically expensive", or simply "overpriced", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "very expensive" or "too expensive"?

The choice depends on the context. "Very expensive" simply states a high cost, while "too expensive" implies that the cost is higher than what someone is willing or able to pay. So it depends from the PoV.

What makes something "very expensive"?

Something can be "very expensive" due to a variety of factors, including rare materials, intricate craftsmanship, high demand, or limited availability.