a low sum of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a low sum of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small amount of money or a minimal quantity in a financial context. Example: "The project was completed with a low sum of funding, which limited its scope."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

His starting salary was $1,200 per year, a low sum of money, even at that time, for a job with so much responsibility.

Wikipedia

Gene 3 contained common variants, while genes 4, 5, 6, and 8 had a low sum of causal variants minor allele frequencies.

Genetic Epidemiology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

For a low sum, 250 watts of electricity was available at all times, but if usage went over this amount all the lights went out.

The New Yorker

A large sum is thought to indicate a 'high degree of activating', and a low sum a 'low degree of activating'.

BMC Medical Education

One for a relatively low sum of money, relatively low, or one infinitely bigger?" and his advice was to tick the lower one, and that's what happened.

The New Yorker

Thus, a low sum score is a first indicator of a low quality of the solution.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Purchased in 1988 by Michael Poole, a bonafide hallucinogenic-loving hippie, for the absurdly low sum of $50,000, the thickly-forested land itself is stunning.

Vice

The campaign was run for the relatively low sum of $25,000.

The New Yorker

She bought the property in 1975, for what now seems like the startlingly low sum of $17,500.

The New York Times

By valuing their most expensive season ticket at the relatively low sum of £475, Sunderland appear to be leading the way.

Independent

It follows that an amorphous state for the initial oxide overgrowth can be thermodynamically (instead of kinetically) preferred as long as the higher bulk Gibbs energy of the amorphous oxide overgrowth is overcompensated for by its low sum of surface and interface energies.

Acta Materialia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a low sum of", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being measured (e.g., money, resources, effort).

Common error

Avoid using "a low sum of" when the actual quantity, though small, is significant in context. Ensure your usage accurately reflects the quantity's impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a low sum of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, typically referring to a measurable quantity. It indicates that the amount being discussed is smaller than expected or desired. Ludwig confirms its general usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a low sum of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a small quantity, typically of something measurable like money or resources. As verified by Ludwig, the phrase is most frequently encountered in scientific and news media contexts, indicating a neutral register. While generally acceptable, writers should ensure that its use is contextually appropriate, particularly in formal writing where more precise alternatives may be preferred. When using this phrase, be aware of the possibility of sounding less precise than necessary. It's important to ensure the quantity being described, although small, is accurately represented in terms of its real-world impact. Related phrases include "a small amount of" and "a minimal quantity of", offering stylistic alternatives for conveying similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small amount of

Replaces "sum" with the more general term "amount".

a reduced quantity of

Emphasizes the diminished size or number.

a minimal amount of

Highlights the near insignificance of the quantity.

a modest sum of

Uses "modest" to describe the sum, implying it's not excessive.

a negligible quantity of

Indicates that the quantity is so small it can be disregarded.

a limited quantity of

Focuses on the restriction or constraint on the quantity.

a trifling sum of

Uses "trifling" to suggest the sum is unimportant.

a paltry amount of

Emphasizes the inadequacy or meagerness of the amount.

a bit of

A more informal way to express a small quantity, less precise than "sum".

a fraction of

Suggests that what is available is only a portion of what might be.

FAQs

How can I use "a low sum of" in a sentence?

You can use "a low sum of" to describe a small amount of something, like "The project was completed with "a low sum of" money" or "The experiment required "a low sum of" resources".

What's the difference between "a low sum of" and "a small amount of"?

"A low sum of" is often used specifically for things that can be added up, like money or quantities. "A small amount of" is more general and can apply to things that aren't necessarily quantifiable with addition.

What can I say instead of "a low sum of"?

Alternatives include "a small amount of", "a modest sum of", or "a minimal quantity of", depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a low sum of" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a low sum of" might sound slightly informal in some contexts. Consider using more precise language (e.g., "a minimal budget", "limited funds") for highly formal documents.