a handsome sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a handsome sum" is correct and usable in written English.
It means a significant amount of money. Example: "He inherited a handsome sum from his late grandfather and was able to fulfill his dream of traveling the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Just be prepared to pay a handsome sum.

The New York Times

So even in a disappointing year, managers still are paid a handsome sum.

The New York Times

Having pocketed a handsome sum, Mr Frère did not sit on the cash for long.

The Economist

These will be made individually in the designer's studio, but sold (for a handsome sum) in selected upscale stores.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I lived in a former one-room schoolhouse nearby and earned a handsome sum operating a pneumatic hammer, a type of jackhammer.

The New York Times

IN April 1912, the surviving operator of the Titanic's wireless communications system was paid a handsome sum for his account of narrowly escaping death aboard the sinking ship.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

He was receiving handsome reward from the late Colonel Gaddafi and is currently receiving a very handsome sum from several Arabian Gulf leaders and dictators as pay-back for his role in the destruction of Iraq.

Vice

The most famous example in business history is Henry Ford's decision, in 1914, to start paying his workers the then handsome sum of five dollars a day.

The New Yorker

Years later, Microsoft paid him a handsome (undisclosed) sum for his sincere landscape.

Huffington Post

For his services, he is highest-paid coach in college basketball, taking in the handsome sum of $4 million a year, which does not included ancillary benefits like membership to a country club.

Forbes

When they lost Fraser Forster for the handsome sum of £10m, they turned to Gordon, a free agent, and he's as good, if not better, than Forster ever was.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While generally appropriate, in highly formal or technical writing, more neutral alternatives like "a substantial amount" might be preferable.

Common error

Avoid using "a handsome sum" in contexts where precision is paramount. It's a descriptive phrase, not a specific financial figure. For formal financial reports, provide exact numbers instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a handsome sum" functions as a noun phrase. It acts as the object of a verb (e.g., "paid", "received") or the complement of a preposition (e.g., "for"). Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a handsome sum" is a correct and usable English expression used to describe a notably large or significant amount of money. Ludwig AI examples highlight its common occurrence in news and media contexts. It carries a slightly formal tone, making it appropriate for a variety of writing situations, but users should avoid it in highly precise or technical documents where exact figures are needed. Consider alternatives like "a substantial amount" or "a significant sum" for similar meanings. When using this expression, be mindful of the audience and the context to ensure its appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial amount

Focuses on the size and importance of the amount.

a significant sum

Emphasizes the importance and impact of the amount.

a considerable fortune

Implies a large amount, often suggesting wealth.

a tidy sum

Indicates a neat and satisfactory amount of money.

a goodly sum

An archaic term meaning a reasonably large amount of money

a large payment

Highlights the act of paying a large amount.

a hefty payment

Indicates a notably large and potentially burdensome payment.

a lucrative return

Highlights the profitability and benefit gained.

a sizeable reward

Emphasizes the compensation for a service or achievement.

a pretty penny

An idiom for a significant amount of money, often unexpectedly earned.

FAQs

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

You can use "a handsome sum" to describe a significant amount of money, as in, "She inherited "a handsome sum" from her grandmother" or "The company was sold for "a handsome sum"".

What phrases are similar to "a handsome sum"?

Similar phrases include "a substantial amount", "a significant sum", or "a tidy sum", all indicating a considerable quantity of money.

Is "a handsome sum" formal or informal?

"A handsome sum" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase. It's suitable for news articles, business contexts, and general writing, but may not be appropriate for highly technical or academic papers.

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

"A large amount" is a more general term. "A handsome sum" implies not just size, but also a sense of desirability or impressiveness about the amount. It suggests the sum is notably significant.