Something expensive costs a lot of money, often in relation to a person or another option.

The idea

Use expensive before a noun or after be. Compare with more expensive than or less expensive than; use the most expensive for the highest price in a group.

Examples

  • This ticket is expensive.
  • The blue coat is more expensive than the black one.
  • We chose a less expensive hotel.
  • Is the repair expensive?
  • It was the most expensive meal on the menu.
  • That camera is expensive for a student.

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Watch out

Say more expensive, not expensiver. Expensive describes the item; a price can be high.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the adjective for an item that costs a lot. This ticket costs a lot; it is ___. (expensive / cheaply)

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    expensive

    The adjective expensive describes the ticket after is.

  2. Choose the comparative for a higher price. The blue coat costs more; it is ___ the black one. (more expensive than / most expensive)

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    more expensive than

    More expensive than compares the prices of two coats.

  3. Choose the superlative for the highest price in the group. Of all the meals, this costs the most; it is ___. (the most expensive / more expensive than)

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    the most expensive

    The most expensive identifies the highest-priced meal in the group.

Use it today

Compare two things you have seen at different prices.