a solid sum of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a solid sum of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a substantial amount of money or resources. Example: "The project was funded by a solid sum of donations from the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mr. Yeager and his wife have indeed been able to save a solid sum of money — he says that he owns his home, valued at $450,000, and that he and his wife were able to squirrel away another $400,000 in various investments while earning modest salaries.

The New York Times

That will put the film in a tight race for the top spot against "Evil Dead," which is poised to start off with a solid sum of between $20 million and $25 million.

Los Angeles Times

The adaptation of the classic fairy-tale -- the second take on "Snow White" to hit theaters this year -- is expected to open with a solid sum of $40 million to $45 million, according to those who have seen pre-release audience surveys.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Create Stability: Looking back, Herb says the couple's two solid careers, and incomes – their combined income was $3,400 when they first married, a solid sum for the time — helped give them, "a very nice standard of living". The lack of financial pressure, and a similar view on how to spend their money, no doubt helped them avoid one common marriage stressor.

The Washington Post

I thought Krugman's exposure of the realities of the Ryan plan provided a solid summing up of current Republican ideology.

Huffington Post

Online grassroots fundraising also produced a solid sum.

Huffington Post

Milk total solids (sum of percentage fat and solids non-fat) assessment is critical in the determination of the nutritional value of the nonsaleable milk prior to feeding to calves because the total solids concentrations are variable.

BMC Veterinary Research

A solid middle-of-the-pack font.

Huffington Post

One can think of the solid as a sum of such sections, called indivisibles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For a finite number of vertices, we can build the following decomposition by means of a connected sum of solid tori T3 = S1 ⊗ S2: T 3 h = T 3 # T 3 # … # T 3 ⏟ h - times.

Journal of Theoretical and Applied Physics

Our data permitted a sum-of-all-the-parts analysis.

Journal of Molecular Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a solid sum of", ensure the context clearly indicates that the amount being referred to is substantial and meaningful within that context. For example, using the phrase when talking about finances or resources.

Common error

Avoid using "a solid sum of" in very casual or informal situations where simpler phrases like "a lot of" or "quite a bit of" would be more appropriate. This phrase is better suited for more formal or professional writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a solid sum of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun. It indicates a significant or substantial quantity of something, typically money or resources. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is used to describe a notable quantity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a solid sum of" is a determiner phrase used to describe a significant quantity of something, typically money or resources. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for describing notable quantities. While its register is generally neutral, it leans towards professional contexts and is more appropriate for formal writing than casual conversation. Alternative phrases include "a substantial amount of", "a significant quantity of", and "a considerable amount of". Though grammatically sound, the phrase is relatively rare in usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial amount of

Replaces "solid" with "substantial", emphasizing the considerable size or quantity.

a significant quantity of

Substitutes "sum" with "quantity", highlighting the numerical aspect.

a considerable amount of

Uses "considerable" instead of "solid", suggesting an amount worth noting.

a generous portion of

Employs "generous portion", implying a plentiful share or allocation.

a respectable quantity of

Replaces "solid" with "respectable", indicating a quantity that is worthy of esteem.

a tidy sum of

Uses "tidy sum" to suggest a neat and considerable amount.

a goodly amount of

Replaces "solid" with "goodly", an archaic term for a considerable amount.

a sizable quantity of

Substitutes "sum" with "quantity" and "solid" with "sizable", conveying a large size.

an appreciable amount of

Employs "appreciable amount", emphasizing that the amount is easily noticed or significant.

a worthwhile amount of

Replaces "solid" with "worthwhile", focusing on the value of the amount.

FAQs

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

You can use "a solid sum of" to describe a significant amount of something, especially money or resources. For example, "The company invested "a solid sum of" money into research and development."

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

Alternatives include "a substantial amount of", "a significant quantity of", or "a considerable amount of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a solid sum of" formal or informal?

"A solid sum of" is generally considered to be more formal than phrases like "a lot of" or "a bunch of", and is appropriate for business or professional contexts.

When is it best to use "a solid sum of" instead of "a large amount of"?

While both phrases indicate a significant quantity, "a solid sum of" often implies a more concrete or tangible value, especially related to money or investments. Use "a large amount of" for more general contexts.