the prices exploded last year

[alpacinou]

Hello

In the context of semi-formal speaking, or even writing, is it okay to use "prices exploded" ?


It this perfectly okay and natural?


1-The prices of foreign electronic devices exploded last year after the country's currency declined.

2-The living costs have exploded recently.

3-The price of basic household needs has exploded.

 

[SoothingDave]

"Skyrocketed" is a common way of expressing this.

 

[alpacinou]

"Skyrocketed" is a common way of expressing this.

Yes. I have heart it.

I want to know if "explode" can also be used.

 

[SoothingDave]

I think it is understandable, in context.

 

[emsr2d2]

Yes. I have [STRIKE]heart[/STRIKE] heard it.

See above.

 

[Tarheel]

I wouldn't say prices exploded, but if you want to I can't stop you.

 

[Rover_KE]

"Skyrocketed" is a common way of expressing this.

Also 'went through the roof'.

 

[jutfrank]

I don't like the metaphor at all.

The idea is that prices go up or go down. That's why verbs like skyrocketed, plummeted, rose, fell, etc. are used. The verb explode doesn't have a sense of going up. If something explodes, it travels in all directions, not just up.

 

[GoesStation]

Prices can also shoot up.

 

[Tdol]

And currency declined doesn't hit the spot either for me.

 

[alpacinou]

And currency declined doesn't hit the spot either for me.

What about the value of the currency declined?

 

[emsr2d2]

What about "the value of the currency declined"?

Don't forget to mark out the words you are asking about in some way. In post 10, Tdol chose to italicise them. I have put them in quotation marks above. It doesn't matter which you choose but do something.

With "the value of the currency" I'd use "decreased" or "fell".