a sizable figure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sizable figure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large amount or significant number, often in contexts related to finance, statistics, or physical dimensions. Example: "The charity event raised a sizable figure, exceeding our initial expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Ms. Bradford is a sizable figure among romance writers.

The New York Times - Books

Last year they added up to more than 7 percent of the nation's economic output, a sizable figure considering that all federal taxes took some 15 percent of the economy.

The New York Times

While that figure is not particularly large these days for a No. 1 movie -- "Red Dragon," the latest Hannibal Lecter film, opened with $36.5 million a few weeks ago, and "Sweet Home Alabama," a Reese Witherspoon romantic comedy, opened to $35.6 million in September -- it is a sizable figure for a movie made as cheaply and marketed as narrowly as "Jackass" was.

The New York Times

American Express was left holding the bag to the tune of a $58 million loss, which in 1963 was a sizable figure, and consequently its stock fell by 50percentt.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

For instance, there are a sizable number of people on the ballot who are simply there because they figured prominently in the presidential contests of the past.

Huffington Post

"That's a sizable number," she said.

The New York Times

The country has a sizable number of his works.

Independent

But a sizable number, 23%, disagreed.

Forbes

A sizable number (44%) are deterred by publication fees.

Science Magazine

A sizable number of Bosniaks also joined.

Wikipedia

A sizable number of adenomas were found on repeat procedure.

BMC Gastroenterology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a sizable figure", consider the context and whether a more specific term like "amount", "number", or "portion" would be more precise.

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "sizable" in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound less precise than alternatives like "substantial" or "significant".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sizable figure" functions as a noun phrase, where "sizable" modifies "figure". The phrase describes an amount or number that is notably large. Ludwig confirms this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sizable figure" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a notably large amount or number. Ludwig confirms its usage, primarily in news and media contexts. While versatile, consider whether more precise alternatives like "substantial amount" or "significant number" might be more appropriate depending on the formality of your writing. Despite its correctness, its relatively low frequency suggests it's not the most common way to express this idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant number

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the number rather than just its size.

a considerable amount

Focuses on the quantity or extent of something.

a large quantity

Highlights the abundance or volume.

a substantial portion

Indicates a significant fraction or segment of a whole.

an impressive total

Suggests the number is noteworthy and likely positive.

a noteworthy sum

Similar to "impressive total", implying the amount is worthy of attention.

a marked degree

Emphasizes the extent of a quality or characteristic.

a major part

Highlights the significant role or contribution of something.

a good deal

Indicates a notable quantity, especially in informal contexts.

a healthy chunk

Similar to portion, but highlights the idea of totality.

FAQs

How can I use "a sizable figure" in a sentence?

You can use "a sizable figure" to describe a large amount or number. For example, "The fundraising campaign generated "a sizable figure" in donations."

What can I say instead of "a sizable figure"?

Alternatives to "a sizable figure" include "a significant number", "a considerable amount", or "a large quantity", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "a sizable figure" or "a significant figure"?

"A sizable figure" refers to a large amount or number, while "a significant figure" refers to an important or influential person. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

Is "sizable" a formal word?

"Sizable" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal word. In some contexts, more precise terms like "substantial" or "considerable" may be preferred, especially in academic writing.