Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
The combination of the words rent and expensive
Dir sirs,
I'd like to ask native speakers of English about the usage of the word "expensive".
The "LONGMAN" dictionary specifically notes, "Don't use 'expensive' with the word rent like "the rent is expensive".
It and any other dictionary I have consulted use "high" instead of expensive for "rent".
However, the COLLINS COBUILD cites the following sentence:
" They actually moved down from upstairs because the rent's that expensive."
Does it mean that the sentence "The rent is expensive" is grammatically wrong, but used in everyday life?
Thank you in advance.
I'd like to ask native speakers of English about the usage of the word "expensive".
The "LONGMAN" dictionary specifically notes, "Don't use 'expensive' with the word rent like "the rent is expensive".
It and any other dictionary I have consulted use "high" instead of expensive for "rent".
However, the COLLINS COBUILD cites the following sentence:
" They actually moved down from upstairs because the rent's that expensive."
Does it mean that the sentence "The rent is expensive" is grammatically wrong, but used in everyday life?
Thank you in advance.
Top answer
Not grammatically wrong, but lexically wrong-- and in common use. It is the apartment that is expensive.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
0
Not grammatically wrong, but lexically wrong-- and in common use. It is the apartment that is expensive.
0