a respectable sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a respectable sum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an amount of money that is considered significant or worthy of respect. Example: "After years of saving, she finally had a respectable sum to invest in her dream business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Within days they agreed upon an advance in the high five figures, a respectable sum for fiction these days.

The New York Times - Books

They are worth 50 pesos, or about $5 apiece, a respectable sum in this poverty-stricken rural area.

The New York Times - Science

Together, the four candidates won about 1.6 million votes: a respectable sum, but a confusing statement, and a deflating end for Paul's campaign.

The New Yorker

And he pocketed a respectable sum, at least $40,000, from a new business: leasing out the horses he keeps on his estate in Wellington, Fla.

The New York Times

He was offered a contract of £5,000 for the entire sequence, a respectable sum, payable in installments of £500 per book.

The New York Times - Arts

For Tate's point of view, it gets a respectable sum to recycle into its bigger (and much more successful) food ingredients operations.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

And luxury brands like Bentley pay them respectable sums to appear in promotional videos.

The New York Times

Jimmy Carter's folkloric watercolors of home-town scenes sell for respectable sums to benefit the Carter Center.

The New Yorker

They often invest respectable sums in computers and information technology but do not seem to reap the same productivity gains from it as many American firms, according to John van Reenen and Nick Bloom of the Centre for Economic Performance at the London School of Economics.In a study with John Dowdy of McKinsey, a consultancy, Mr van Reenen concluded that British managers are partly at fault.

The Economist

But he shows some sign of learning on the job, and, even if he has authoritarian instincts, they may be checked by experience.In sum, there is a respectable case for optimism about Russia; but there is a case for pessimism too.

The Economist

In the middle of the field is "The Sum of All Fears" from Paramount Pictures, approaching a respectable but not spectacular $100 million after four weeks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a respectable sum" when you want to convey that an amount of money is significant enough to be noteworthy or appreciable, especially relative to a particular context or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a respectable sum" when the amount is actually quite small or insignificant; this can create a disconnect and confuse the reader. Ensure the amount truly warrants the description of being respectable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a respectable sum" functions as a noun phrase, with "respectable" modifying the noun "sum". Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The adjective "respectable" indicates that the amount is considered worthy of esteem or regard.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a respectable sum" is a phrase used to describe an amount of money that is considerable or worthy of respect, as confirmed by Ludwig. Predominantly found in news and business contexts, it carries a neutral to professional register. Ludwig's AI analysis indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and effectively communicates that a particular monetary value is significant enough to warrant attention. When using this phrase, ensure that the amount is truly noteworthy in its context to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable amount

Emphasizes the size or extent of the quantity.

a substantial sum

Highlights the importance or significance of the quantity.

a significant amount

Focuses on the noteworthiness of the quantity.

a sizable sum

Indicates a large quantity.

a handsome sum

Suggests the amount is pleasing or generous.

a tidy sum

Implies the amount is neatly or satisfactorily large.

a goodly sum

An older, more formal way of saying a good amount.

a fair amount

Indicates the amount is reasonable or just.

a decent amount

Suggests the amount is adequate or satisfactory.

a worthwhile amount

Focuses on the value or benefit derived from the amount.

FAQs

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

You can use "a respectable sum" to describe an amount of money that is considerable or worthy of respect in a particular context. For example, "She inherited "a respectable sum" from her grandmother's estate".

What are some alternatives to "a respectable sum"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a considerable amount", "a substantial sum", or "a significant amount", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a respectable sum" in formal writing?

Yes, "a respectable sum" is suitable for formal writing, especially in business or news contexts where you need to describe an amount of money that is noteworthy without being overly informal.

What determines whether an amount qualifies as "a respectable sum"?

Whether an amount qualifies as "a respectable sum" depends on the context and what is considered significant within that context. A sum that is respectable in one situation might be insignificant in another.