a small sum of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small sum of" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to an amount of money that is not particularly large. Example: "I was able to win a small sum of money on a lotto ticket."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Still, the letter sought a small sum of money as a contribution to Qaeda operations.

The New York Times

We're talking about a small sum of money here, but I'm guessing that it adds up quickly.

The New York Times

Mr Dudman later said that the newspaper paid "a small sum" of more than £500 for the photos.

Independent

Redundancy last Christmas brought a small sum of cash that Ben ploughed into a career change, retraining from public sector administration to graphic design.

The Guardian - Money

Re "Bickering Over the European Exchange Rate (Sept . 14: A European basketball team invests a small sum of money to develop a young player.

The New York Times - Sports

She instead urged the plaintiffs to hold direct negotiations with the Lagos state government, which offered a small sum of money as compensation.

The Guardian

When a North Korean dies, the state provides relatives with a special allowance of rice and some alcohol, as well as a small sum of money.

The Guardian

Mrs. Song would hand over her ration book, a small sum of money, and tickets from the garment factory certifying that she had fulfilled her work duty.

The New Yorker

Following his late September release, Maung Maung received a small sum of money and his national identity card, meaning he can apply for a job.

The Guardian

The movie was supposedly funded by Jordanian investors, an impression Issa had created by moving a small sum of money around several fake companies, all created by him.

The Guardian - Film

A small sum of compassion would not just cost them little, it would potentially save them millions of dollars in operating costs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small sum of", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning. If the amount is truly insignificant, alternatives like "negligible" or "trivial" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "a small sum of" when the amount, while not large, is still significant in the given context. For instance, saying "a small sum of money" was used to fund a crucial research project would downplay its importance, even if the amount seems relatively low.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small sum of" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, typically "money" or a related concept, to indicate a limited quantity. It serves to quantify the noun, as shown in Ludwig's examples, emphasizing the modest size of the amount.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small sum of" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a modest quantity, typically of money. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure that its use accurately reflects the intended magnitude. Consider alternatives like "a modest amount of" or "a trivial amount of" for more specific nuances. Overstating or understating the 'smallness' can lead to miscommunication, so choose your words carefully to align with the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a modest amount of

Focuses on the unassuming and reasonable nature of the amount.

a trivial amount of

Emphasizes the insignificance of the quantity.

a limited quantity of

Highlights the restricted nature of the resource.

a minor portion of

Stresses that the amount is just a fraction of something larger.

a negligible quantity of

Underscores that the amount is so small it can practically be ignored.

a paltry amount of

Highlights the amount's inadequacy or worthlessness.

a tiny fraction of

Emphasizes the extremely small scale.

a minimum quantity of

Emphasizes the bare minimum or smallest possible amount.

a nominal amount of

Highlights the low worth of the amount, often symbolic.

a speck of

Suggests an almost immeasurable quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "a small sum of" in a sentence?

You can use "a small sum of" to describe a modest amount of money or resources. For example: "She donated "a small sum of" money to the charity."

What are some alternatives to "a small sum of"?

Alternatives include "a modest amount of", "a trivial amount of", or "a limited quantity of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "a small sum of" is appropriate in formal writing, although it's essential to ensure that it accurately reflects the quantity being described. More precise language might be necessary in certain technical contexts.

What's the difference between "a small sum of" and "a large sum of"?

"A small sum of" indicates a relatively low amount, while "a large sum of" indicates a substantial amount. The choice between them depends entirely on the magnitude you want to emphasize.