1. 两者都可表示“昂贵的”：expensive 通常指物美价高, 非购买者财力所能及；dear 主要指普通日用品因暂时的供应不足而造成的价格上涨。如：

That’s a beautiful dress, but it’s too expensive for me. 那是件漂亮的连衣裙，但对我来说太贵了。

We really don’t need such a big, expensive car. 我们的确不需要那么大，那么贵的汽车。

In the middle of the summer fresh oranges are dear, but in the winter months they are cheap. 仲夏时节，新鲜桔子很贵，但到了冬天就很便宜了。

2. 两者通常都不与 price 连用。如：

这外套太贵。

误：The price of the coat is too expensive.

正：The coat is too expensive.

正：The price of the coat is too high.