Italian Phrase
Se li superi, ti costa di più.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘If you exceed them, it will cost you more.’ It is often used when talking about limits, quotas, or thresholds that, when surpassed, lead to higher expenses or penalties.
When to use
Use this phrase when warning someone about the financial consequences of going beyond a set amount—e.g., data limits, weight limits, or budget caps. It works both in formal advice and casual conversation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Selisuperi,ticostadipiù.
Conditional clause with 'se'
After 'se' (if), the verb is in the present subjunctive when the condition is possible or future-oriented.
Direct object pronoun 'li'
‘li’ replaces a masculine plural noun (e.g., i limiti, i costi) and is placed before the verb.
Verb 'superare' in subjunctive
The present subjunctive of ‘superare’ is ‘superi’ (you exceed).
Indirect object pronoun 'ti'
‘ti’ indicates who bears the cost; it precedes the verb ‘costa’.
Comparative structure 'costa di più'
When comparing cost, Italian requires the preposition ‘di’ before ‘più’ (more).
🗨In Conversation
Stai per superare il limite di dati del tuo piano telefonico.
You're about to exceed the data limit of your phone plan.
Se li superi, ti costa di più.
If you exceed them, it will cost you more.
✕Common Mistakes
Se li superi, ti costa più.
The preposition ‘di’ is required in the comparative structure; ‘costa più’ is incorrect.
Se li superi, ti costa di più.
Some learners use the indicative ‘superi’ after ‘se’; the correct form is the present subjunctive ‘superi’.
Se le superi, ti costa di più.
If the noun being referred to is feminine, use ‘le’ instead of ‘li’. Using the wrong gender pronoun changes the meaning.
↔Alternatives
Se li superi, pagherai di più.
If you exceed them, you'll pay more.
Se li superi, ti verrà addebitato un importo maggiore.
If you exceed them, a higher amount will be charged to you.
Se li superi, il prezzo aumenta.
If you exceed them, the price goes up.
Cultural Tip
In Italian, the comparative ‘di più’ is mandatory after verbs like ‘costa’, ‘vale’, or ‘richiede’. Dropping the preposition (e.g., ‘costa più’) sounds ungrammatical to native speakers. Also, the subjunctive after ‘se’ is common in conditional sentences that refer to future possibilities, unlike English which uses the indicative.