a meager sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a meager sum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or insufficient amount of money or resources. Example: "After all the expenses were paid, what was left was just a meager sum that barely covered the bills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It is a meager sum compared with what they made before.

The New York Times

The group has raised only about $12,000, a meager sum in a state where ballot campaigns come with multimillion-dollar price tags.

The New York Times

But he added, "We will reinforce our capability" by "mounting multiple warheads on our missiles" and "that will cost us a meager sum".

The New York Times

Mr. McKessy defended what was a meager sum by whistle-blower standards, saying he would be happy if his office consistently paid out small sums over many years.

The New York Times

Arian became a teacher after working as a freelance photographer, but her service years will provide her with a benefit of only about 41% of her work income, a meager sum on which to live in San Francisco.

Los Angeles Times

The Joint Committee on Taxation, an arm of Congress, estimated that cutting the exemption would result in additional federal tax income of $39.8 billion over the next 10 years — a meager sum considering that the committee also estimates the tax plan as a whole will result in an overall reduction of federal tax income of $1.4 trillion over that period.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

His campaign said he had more than $300,000, a relatively meager sum at this stage for an incumbent facing a challenge.

The New York Times

Thus, the U.S.D.A. spends millions a year marketing American cheese to the public — and a more meager sum, Moss dryly notes, on its nutrition department's reports urging folks to cut back on fatty foods.

The New York Times - Books

In particular, Mr. Meli bemoaned a call by the European Commission to invest €1 trillion in projects to build new grids and pipelines during the next decade while setting aside a relatively meager sum, about €150 million, for energy efficiency.

The New York Times

Rather than complain about the meager sum allotted for such a monumental task, they decided to make the most of the funds they were given.

Forbes

The Americans started out with just twenty-five toousand dollaresurrecturrect Iraq's collapsed ministries, and even this meager sum came not as cash but in the form of grants that required several weeks for approval.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a meager sum", ensure the context clearly establishes what the sum is inadequate for. For instance, compare it to a larger amount or a specific need to emphasize its insufficiency.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the consequences of "a meager sum" if it's not truly significant. Accurate representation maintains credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a meager sum" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as an object or complement within a sentence. It modifies a noun, describing its insufficient quantity or value. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

7%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a meager sum" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a quantity considered insufficient. Ludwig AI validates its appropriate usage across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While not overly frequent, its nuanced impact on the reader comes from expressing the insufficiency of the referred amount. Remember to consider the context when using this phrase, ensuring that the inadequacy of the sum is clear to the audience. Related phrases offer ways to fine-tune the level of impact based on your intentions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a paltry sum

Synonymous replacement, emphasizing the inadequacy and worthlessness of the sum.

a small pittance

Highlights the extreme scarcity and inadequacy of the sum.

a trifling amount

Replaces "meager" with "trifling", suggesting the sum is so small it's almost insignificant.

a negligible quantity

Suggests the amount is so small it can be disregarded or ignored.

an insignificant amount

Focuses on the lack of importance or impact of the sum due to its size.

a trifling quantity

Emphasizes the small size and unimportance of the amount.

a nominal sum

Suggests the sum is so low it's barely worth mentioning or considering.

a scarce amount

Highlights the limited availability or existence of the sum.

a limited quantity

Indicates that the available sum or resource is restricted or finite.

a modest amount

Implies the sum is small, but perhaps sufficient for basic needs.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a meager sum" in a sentence?

Use "a meager sum" when you want to emphasize that an amount of money or resources is very small and insufficient for a particular purpose. For example, "The grant provided "a meager sum" to fund the research project".

What are some alternatives to saying "a meager sum"?

You can use alternatives like "a paltry sum", "a trifling amount", or "an insignificant amount" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific nuance you want to express.

Is "a meager sum" formal or informal?

"A meager sum" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While it isn't overly technical, it effectively communicates a sense of scarcity or inadequacy in various settings.

What's the difference between "a meager sum" and "a modest amount"?

"A meager sum" implies that the amount is insufficient and barely adequate, while "a modest amount" suggests that the quantity is small but can still fulfill the basic needs. The first expression emphasizes inadequacy while the second expression doesn't imply any judgment.