a paltry sum

USAGE SUMMARY

"a paltry sum" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to an amount of money that is too small or insignificant to be worth considering. For example, "The company offered me a paltry sum of $500 for my services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Part of the rise has been attributed to "shell shocked" employees who own 30% of the stock and are unwilling to accept that the bank, valued at $7bn a week ago, is worth such a paltry sum.

The Guardian - Business

"It seems like a paltry sum".

The New York Times

Relative to total health spending, that's a paltry sum.

The New York Times

"It's such a paltry sum for a life," she said.

The New York Times

That's a paltry sum, I know, but my main goal wasn't riches.

The New York Times

Andersen has offered $750m to settle claims, which plaintiffs will consider a paltry sum.

The Economist

Let's not forget, these are base salaries of around £1m, so not a paltry sum.

The Guardian - Opinion

He had raised about $250,000, a paltry sum for a Democrat seeking statewide office in a Republican-dominated state.

The New York Times

Rents for Mr. O'Connell's stores run about $5 a square foot, a paltry sum by New York City standards.

The New York Times

A paltry sum to the veterans of Argentina but, none the less, not one to be sniffed at.

The Guardian - Books

This is not a paltry sum, but hardly enough to retire and live out the rest of his life unemployed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a paltry sum" when you want to express disdain or disappointment about the smallness of an amount, especially in comparison to what is expected or needed.

Common error

Avoid using "a paltry sum" when you simply mean 'a small amount' without the intention to criticize or belittle. The phrase carries a negative connotation of inadequacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a paltry sum" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes an amount of money or value, conveying that the amount is disappointingly small or insignificant. According to Ludwig, it is a well-formed and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a paltry sum" is a phrase used to describe an amount that is considered insignificantly small, often evoking a sense of disappointment or disdain. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in written English, particularly in news and media contexts. It's essential to use the phrase when you want to emphasize the inadequacy of an amount, avoiding its use when a neutral description of a small amount is intended. Alternatives such as "a meager amount" or "an insignificant sum" can be considered depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a meager amount

Indicates that the amount is deficient or inadequate.

a pittance

Implies the amount is inadequate and insulting.

an insignificant sum

Highlights the lack of importance or consequence of the sum.

a trivial amount

Focuses on the insignificance or unimportance of the amount.

a trifling sum

Suggests the amount is of little worth or value.

a negligible quantity

Emphasizes that the amount is so small it can be disregarded.

a peppercorn

Suggests a very small or nominal payment, often symbolic.

a chicken feed

An informal term for a very small amount of money.

a modest amount

Indicates that the amount is deficient or not so much.

a small fortune

Indicates that the amount is deficient or not so much.

FAQs

How to use "a paltry sum" in a sentence?

You can use "a paltry sum" to describe an amount of money that is considered very small or insignificant, especially in comparison to something else. For example: "The settlement offered was "a paltry sum" considering the damages caused."

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

You can use alternatives like "a meager amount", "an insignificant sum", or "a trivial amount" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a paltry sum" or "a significant sum"?

"A paltry sum" and "a significant sum" are opposites. "A paltry sum" refers to a small, insignificant amount, while "a significant sum" refers to a large, important amount.

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

"A paltry sum" implies the amount is so small as to be almost worthless or insulting. "A modest amount", on the other hand, simply indicates a small amount that may be adequate or reasonable.