a nice sum of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a nice sum of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a considerable amount of money or resources, often in a positive or appreciative context. Example: "After selling the old car, I received a nice sum of money that I plan to invest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It's a nice sum of money, but it still makes him a bargain basement CEO in Forbes.com's Best Value Bosses list where the top executive, Citigroup 's Sandy Weill Sandy Weill, made $785 million during the same time frame.

Forbes

Kasparov was given a nice sum of money, and Deep Blue didn't even make it to 1998.

Huffington Post

In fact, they're part of the nearly one in four American women who are bringing home the bigger paycheck, but according to what they told me -- and what recent research backs up -- once they amass a nice sum of money, they don't know quite what to do next.

Huffington Post

When I applied for my first mortgage almost 26 years ago, it was with my then fully employed husband, yet because I was self-employed and not earning a predictable monthly income (even though I was earning a nice sum of money one month and nothing another month) this did not compute to the bankers.

Huffington Post

My mother gave us the best she could and I can't say we missed out on much, but there were times where mom, nor anyone else for that matter, could do anything to help me with my unique challenges, and I can't help but think that having a nice sum of money in the bank to help me out throughout my whole life could have made all the difference.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

That's a nice sum for fortune-cookie wisdom, but it turned out to be just a fraction of his inside deal.

The New York Times

He uses it to sock away extra money to cover out-of-pocket medical expenses, and has put aside a nice sum.

Los Angeles Times

This gave him $38 million, a nice sum by any measure, but $12 million less than the value of Lilly shares before the November election, when they had reached a high of $108 a share.

The New York Times

Of the track, BL-squared explained, "It's the last song I wrote for the album, and it's a nice summing up of where I was at the end of the recording process".

Huffington Post

It was a hit and was acquired for a nice sum three months ago.

The New York Times

That's a nice sum, but these hedge fund-nominated directors stand to make much more.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a nice sum of", consider the audience and context. It's suitable for general conversation but may be replaced with more precise terminology in formal or technical writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a nice sum of" in highly formal documents such as legal contracts or academic papers. Opt for more precise and objective language like "a substantial amount" or "a significant quantity".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a nice sum of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun (usually "money") to indicate a satisfactory or appreciable quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a nice sum of" is a phrase used to describe a satisfactory or appreciable quantity, typically referring to money. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While most common in News & Media, and acceptable in various contexts, more precise language may be preferred in formal or technical writing. Alternatives include "a considerable amount of" or "a substantial amount of". Remember to use contextually appropriate language for clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable amount of

Replaces 'nice sum' with a more formal term emphasizing the quantity's size.

a substantial quantity of

Similar to 'considerable amount', but stresses the largeness of the amount.

a handsome amount of

Uses 'handsome' to imply the sum is attractive or pleasing.

a tidy amount of

Conveys the idea that the sum is neatly or comfortably sufficient.

a significant sum of

Highlights the importance or impact of the amount.

a generous amount of

Emphasizes the abundance and liberality of the amount.

a decent amount of

Implies the sum is adequate or respectable.

a fair amount of

Suggests the sum is just or equitable.

a goodly sum of

An archaic alternative, less common but still conveying a large quantity.

a reasonable amount of

Indicates the sum is moderate and within acceptable limits.

FAQs

What does "a nice sum of" mean?

The phrase "a nice sum of" generally means a considerable or satisfactory amount of something, most often money. It suggests the amount is pleasing or helpful.

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

You can use alternatives like "a considerable amount of", "a substantial amount of", or "a handsome amount of" depending on the context.

Is "a nice sum of" formal or informal?

The phrase "a nice sum of" leans towards the informal side. While not incorrect in formal settings, more precise language is often preferred.

How do I use "a nice sum of" in a sentence?

You can use "a nice sum of" to describe a quantity that is pleasing or helpful, as in "She inherited a nice sum of money from her grandmother."