a hefty sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hefty sum" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means a large amount of money or a significant payment or cost. Example: After months of negotiations, the company finally agreed to pay a hefty sum to settle the lawsuit.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In real terms, they are separated by about $100 million a year — a hefty sum, but small in the context of these negotiations.

The New York Times - Sports

All indications are that it was a hefty sum.

The New York Times

The penalty was reduced to $175m on settlement—still a hefty sum.

The Economist

Although still a hefty sum, Murdoch's annual pay packet was his smallest since 2003.

The Guardian

That offer came to $22 million per season, a hefty sum that could nonetheless be spun to look cheap.

The New York Times - Sports

It's a hefty sum, but hey -- the '80s revival looks as if it has a long way to go.

The New York Times

With 100 potential venues this could be a hefty sum which would come back to the government.

The Guardian - Sport

About the only sure thing is that, whatever he decides, it will cost the taxpayers a hefty sum.

The New York Times

They would end up paying a hefty sum in luxury tax, making the trade a bad one for monetary reasons.

The New York Times - Sports

That's a hefty sum for a single assignment, and it comes as merger activity in general has slackened.

The New York Times

When he tried to sell his debt-ridden casinos in Atlantic City for a hefty sum, there were no takers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a hefty sum" when you want to emphasize that an amount of money is surprisingly or notably large. It adds a touch of informal emphasis to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a hefty sum" when a neutral or precise term is needed. Its informal and somewhat subjective nature may be inappropriate in formal financial reports or legal documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hefty sum" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a common phrase in written English. Examples in Ludwig show it describing payments, costs, and investments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a hefty sum" is a common noun phrase used to emphasize a large or significant amount of money. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to slightly informal writing and may not be appropriate for highly formal documents. Alternatives include "a considerable amount" or "a significant sum of money", depending on the desired level of formality. The phrase functions to highlight the size of the amount, implying it is noteworthy or substantial in its context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant sum of money

Specifically highlights that the sum is related to money, adding clarity.

a great deal of money

Simply emphasizes the vastness of the monetary quantity.

a substantial amount

Emphasizes the solid and considerable nature of the quantity or value.

a considerable amount

Focuses on the notability of the amount, emphasizing its size relative to expectations.

a handsome amount

Implies the amount is pleasing or attractive, often in a business context.

a large payment

Highlights the act of paying and the size of the payment.

a tidy sum

Suggests a neat and satisfactory amount, often more than expected.

a princely sum

Suggests the amount is fit for royalty, indicating extravagance.

a king's ransom

Indicates an extremely large amount, enough to free a king from captivity.

a worthwhile investment

Highlights the return or value gained from the sum, rather than just its size.

FAQs

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

You can use "a hefty sum" to describe a large or significant amount of money. For example, "The company paid "a hefty sum" to settle the dispute".

What are some alternatives to "a hefty sum"?

Some alternatives include "a considerable amount", "a significant sum of money", or "a substantial amount". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "a hefty sum" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a hefty sum" is somewhat informal. For formal writing, consider using more neutral and precise terms such as "a considerable amount" or "a significant sum of money".

What does "hefty" emphasize in the phrase "a hefty sum"?

The word "hefty" emphasizes that the amount is surprisingly large, weighty, or considerable. It adds an element of subjective judgment to the description of the sum.