a significant sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant sum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a large amount of money or resources, often in financial contexts. Example: "The company received a significant sum in donations to support its charitable initiatives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a significant sum.

The Guardian

That is a significant sum.

The Guardian - Opinion

It has to be a significant sum".

The Guardian

(By British standards, that is a significant sum).

The New Yorker

"For Kazakhstan, this is a significant sum of money," he said at the time.

The New York Times

An abortion there costs about $15, a significant sum in Kenya.

The New York Times

That practice involves sending alleged infringers letters demanding a significant sum under threat of legal action.

The Guardian - Tech

The radio station RTL said the group had asked for a significant sum, along with tax cuts and "less repression".

The New York Times

But it is a significant sum for an organization like the N.A.A.C.P., with an annual budget of $19 million.

The New York Times

Yes, it has recently redressed years of neglect by committing a significant sum of money towards "capital" expenditures.

The Guardian

This is a significant sum for people returning to work, but an insufficient response to a major systems failure.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant sum", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being measured (e.g. money, resources, effort). This avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant sum" when the amount is only significant relative to a very specific or niche context that isn't immediately obvious. Ensure the significance is clear to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant sum" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as a direct object or subject complement. It quantifies a specific entity that is considered substantial or noteworthy. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant sum" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a notably large amount of money or resources. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, where it emphasizes the importance or impact of the amount being discussed. While interchangeable with phrases like "a considerable amount" or "a substantial quantity", "a significant sum" often carries a slightly stronger connotation of importance. When using this phrase, ensure that the context makes the scale of significance clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable amount

Emphasizes the quantity is worthy of attention; interchangeable in many contexts.

a substantial quantity

Suggests a large amount, though it can apply to things other than money.

a sizable portion

Implies the sum is a notable part of a whole.

a hefty amount

Conveys the idea of a large and possibly burdensome sum.

a notable quantity

Highlights that the amount is worthy of being noted.

a good deal of money

A more informal way of saying a significant amount of money.

a large expenditure

Focuses on the spending aspect of a significant sum.

an appreciable quantity

Highlights that something is large enough to be perceived or measured.

a considerable fortune

Refers specifically to a large amount of money or assets.

a pile of cash

Informal term to highlight the abundance of wealth

FAQs

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

You can use "a significant sum" to describe a large amount of money, resources, or anything measurable that is notably large. For example, "The company invested "a significant sum" in research and development".

What are some alternatives to "a significant sum"?

Alternatives include "a considerable amount", "a substantial quantity", or "a hefty amount", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "a significant sum" or "a large sum"?

"A significant sum" implies that the amount is not only large but also important or impactful. "A large sum" simply indicates the quantity. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the importance of the amount in addition to its size.

What's the difference between "a significant sum" and "a considerable sum"?

"A significant sum" and "a considerable sum" are very similar in meaning and are often interchangeable. However, "significant" may slightly emphasize the importance or impact of the amount, while "considerable" simply emphasizes the size.