a considerable sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a considerable sum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a large amount of money or resources in various contexts, such as financial discussions or transactions. Example: "The company received a considerable sum in donations to support its charitable initiatives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A friend told him he could make 120 yuan an hour for the work (about $22)—a considerable sum in China, where a typical lunch costs 10 yuan.

Vice

As a result the state income reached a considerable sum.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Visitors were charged fifty cents—quite a considerable sum at the time for a viewing.

The New Yorker

All told, the proposals add up to four hundred and fifty billion dollars, a considerable sum.

The New Yorker

While a considerable sum, the revenue would provide only a respite from Russia's broader financial problems.

The New York Times

Hille invested £6,000 in tooling, a considerable sum for a furniture manufacturer in those days.

The Guardian - Arts

There are also rumours that millionaire City investor Clive Cowdery may put in a considerable sum.

The Guardian

But drawing a crowd must have cost LVMH a considerable sum.

The New York Times - Arts

The fee is well above average even today, and back then it was a considerable sum.

The Guardian - Books

In the same year, she sold the film rights for £20,000, then a considerable sum.

The Guardian

The spokesman, John Beckman, said it was "a considerable sum," not hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a considerable sum" to emphasize the importance or impact of a financial amount or quantity, especially when comparing it to a standard or expectation. For example, "Investing in renewable energy requires a considerable sum, but the long-term benefits are worth it."

Common error

Avoid using "a considerable sum" in very informal settings or casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or stilted when simpler language would suffice. Consider alternatives like "a lot of money" or "quite a bit" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a considerable sum" functions as a noun phrase that acts as an object or complement in a sentence. It quantifies an amount of money or resources, indicating that the amount is noteworthy. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a considerable sum" is a versatile phrase used to describe a notably large amount of money or resources. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it also appears in scientific and formal business settings. While similar phrases like "a substantial amount" or "a large fortune" can be used, "a considerable sum" carries a nuance of significance and impact. When writing, remember that this phrase is appropriate for formal and neutral contexts but should be used sparingly in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial amount

Emphasizes the largeness and importance of the amount.

a sizeable sum

Highlights the size of the sum, suggesting it's noteworthy.

a significant quantity

Focuses on the quantity being notably large.

a good deal of money

A more descriptive alternative that clearly indicates a large monetary value.

a handsome amount

Similar to "considerable", but may imply attractiveness or desirability in addition to size.

a tidy sum

Indicates a neat and satisfactory amount, often implying financial gain.

a large fortune

Implies a very high value, often associated with wealth.

a weighty sum

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the sum, implying it is significant.

a pile of cash

A more informal way of describing a large quantity of money.

a king's ransom

An idiomatic expression indicating an extremely large sum, often exaggerated.

FAQs

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

You can use "a considerable sum" to describe a large or significant amount of money or resources. For instance, "The project required "a considerable sum" of investment" or "He inherited "a considerable sum" from his grandfather".

What are some alternatives to "a considerable sum"?

Alternatives to "a considerable sum" include "a substantial amount", "a significant quantity", or "a large fortune", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a considerable sum" in formal writing?

Yes, "a considerable sum" is suitable for formal writing. It's often used in business reports, academic papers, and news articles to describe significant amounts in a professional manner.

What's the difference between "a considerable sum" and "a large sum"?

"A considerable sum" and "a large sum" are quite similar, but "a considerable sum" often implies a greater degree of significance or impact relative to the context. While "a large sum" simply refers to the quantity, "a considerable sum" suggests that the amount is noteworthy or consequential.