A specific sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A specific sum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a particular amount of money or a defined quantity in financial contexts. Example: "The contract stipulates that the payment will be made in a specific sum agreed upon by both parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The group has not endorsed a specific sum.

The New York Times

The compromise reached today would set up seven broad accounts in the conservation fund and allocate a specific sum that could be spent in each.

The New York Times

The hackers have asked the company to contact them about a ransom, but they have not requested a specific sum of money yet, Kallevik said.

The Washington Post

The biennial Conferences are a significant part of EEWC's success and a specific sum is set aside for the next conference as part of every annual budget plan.

Columbia University

It is a chose in action, attesting his right to demand a specific sum at stated intervals, and the city's correlative obligation to pay it.

Cornell University

Instead of naming a specific sum that will go into a trust, many wills refer to an amount up to the exemption or express the sum as a percentage of whatever the limit happens to be when the person dies.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Ministers are not expected to agree on any specific sum for a Greek bailout.

The New York Times

They never asked me for any specific sum of money, or made any proposition whatsoever for how I was supposed to resolve the "situation".

Forbes

A Senator discussing these sections said: 'The government ought to have the privilege of coming upon him (a fraudulent contractor) or his estate and his heirs and recovering the money of which it is defrauded.' 14 The inherent difficulty of choosing a proper specific sum which would give full restitution was a problem for Congress.

Cornell University

Kids are going to read the book and ask, Yeah, but what's a tollbooth?" The other is that, though we know the trip costs something — you enter through a tollbooth, after all — the specific sum Milo pays, the tuition for his liberal education, is never calculated in numbers or defined in words.

The New Yorker

(While cutting significantly into the houses' potential profits, this was far less risky than guaranteeing a specific cash sum).

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial agreements or contracts, use "a specific sum" to clearly indicate the precise amount of money involved, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a specific sum" when a general term like "amount" or "payment" suffices. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly formal or repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific sum" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes a particular quantity or amount, often in financial contexts. As Ludwig AI points out, it's usable in written English when referring to a particular amount of money.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a specific sum" is a noun phrase used to denote a precise amount, predominantly in financial or legal contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears frequently in news, academic and scientific sources, indicating its widespread acceptance in formal and neutral registers. When writing, ensure the use of "a specific sum" is necessary to provide clarity, and consider alternatives like "precise amount" or "exact figure" to avoid repetition. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "a specific sum" to convey numerical specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A precise amount

Replaces "specific" with "precise", emphasizing exactness but maintaining a similar structure.

A definite quantity

Substitutes both "specific" and "sum" with "definite" and "quantity" respectively, altering the lexical choice while preserving the meaning.

An exact figure

Replaces "specific" with "exact" and "sum" with "figure", focusing on numerical precision.

A set amount

Uses "set" in place of "specific", suggesting a predetermined quantity.

A fixed quantity

Similar to "set amount", but replaces "sum" with "quantity", highlighting a predetermined amount.

A particular amount

Emphasizes that a certain, identifiable sum is involved.

A stated sum

Implies the sum has been declared or formally mentioned.

A designated amount

Replaces "specific" with "designated", suggesting the amount was chosen for a purpose.

A clear amount

Uses "clear" to underscore the unambiguous and easily understood value of the sum.

A defined sum

Uses "defined" to describe the sum, suggesting that the amount has been clarified and set.

FAQs

How can I use "a specific sum" in a sentence?

Use "a specific sum" when you want to emphasize the exact amount of something, like in the sentence, "The contract stipulates that "a specific sum" will be paid upon completion of the project".

What are some alternatives to "a specific sum"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "a precise amount", "a definite quantity", or "an exact figure", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "specific sum" or "particular amount"?

Both phrases are correct, but "specific sum" is more common when referring to money. "A particular amount" can refer to any quantity.

Can "a specific sum" be used in contexts other than finance?

Yes, although it's most commonly used in financial contexts, "a specific sum" can be used to refer to any quantifiable amount, such as "a set amount of ingredients in a recipe".