a ruinous sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a ruinous sum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an amount of money that is excessively high or damaging, often implying that it could lead to financial ruin. Example: "The cost of the repairs was a ruinous sum that left the family in debt for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Catherine spent ruinous sums of money on buildings at a time of plague, famine, and economic hardship in France.

Wikipedia

Although Catherine spent ruinous sums on the arts, most of her patronage left no permanent legacy.

Wikipedia

But when he said "the hill we will die on" during a news conference Dec. 6, he angrily summed up where the N.H.L. went in a ruinous 2012.

The New York Times - Sports

A decade ago, the city was at the epicenter of a ruinous civil war.

The Washington Post

They inherit a ruinous federal debt.

The New York Times

Today it is in a ruinous state.

The New York Times

But this achievement came at a ruinous cost.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Even if accurate, it's a ruinous diagnosis.

The New York Times - Magazine

The country still faces a ruinous debt situation.

The New York Times

If true, this is a ruinous fiasco and no mistake.

The Guardian - Sport

He was last prime minister in 2002, when he presided over a ruinous spending splurge.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While suitable for formal writing, it may sound overly dramatic in casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "a ruinous sum" in casual settings where a less dramatic term like 'expensive' or 'costly' would suffice. Overusing it diminishes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a ruinous sum" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "ruinous" modifies the noun "sum". It describes a specific quantity of money that is destructively large. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a ruinous sum" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an excessively high amount of money that can cause significant financial harm. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and identifies it as suitable for use in neutral to formal contexts, particularly within news and media. While less common than simpler alternatives like 'expensive', it provides a stronger emphasis on the potentially destructive impact of the amount. When considering related phrases, keep in mind that synonyms such as "an exorbitant amount" or "a devastating cost" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a financially ruinous amount

Explicitly states the potential for financial destruction.

an exorbitant amount

Emphasizes the excessiveness of the amount.

a devastating cost

Highlights the destructive impact of the cost.

a crippling expense

Suggests the expense severely limits financial capacity.

an outrageous sum

Conveys shock and disbelief at the amount.

an excessive expenditure

Focuses on the act of spending too much.

a colossal cost

Highlights the immense size of the cost.

an unsustainable expense

Implies the expense cannot be maintained long-term.

a back-breaking amount

Suggests the amount is an unbearable burden.

a prohibitive price

Indicates the price prevents purchase or action.

FAQs

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

You can use "a ruinous sum" to describe an amount of money that is excessively high or damaging. For example: "The cost of the repairs was "a ruinous sum" that left the family in debt for years."

What are some alternatives to "a ruinous sum"?

Alternatives include "an exorbitant amount", "a devastating cost", or "a crippling expense", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say 'a ruinous amount' instead of "a ruinous sum"?

While 'a ruinous amount' is grammatically correct, "a ruinous sum" is more idiomatic when referring to money. 'Amount' can be used for abstract quantities or things that cannot be precisely counted, while 'sum' specifically suggests a quantity of money.

What's the difference between "a ruinous sum" and "a substantial sum"?

"A ruinous sum" implies an amount so large it causes damage or potential collapse, while "a substantial sum" simply means a large or significant amount, without necessarily negative consequences.