absurd sums of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absurd sums of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe large amounts of money or resources that seem unreasonable or excessive. Example: "The company spent absurd sums of money on marketing campaigns that yielded little return."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But the most enduring numbers associated with him will be counted in billions: the legions in China who carefully monitored his progress in the N.B.A., and, of course, their absurd sums of disposable income.

The New Yorker

Peter Biskind, in his biography of Beatty, does a good job of explaining how and why the movie ended up costing absurd sums of money — which resulted in press that sank the film before its release — but these stories, entertaining and fascinating though they may be, don't account for the actual distinctiveness, the singularity of the results.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

How very candid of a man about to be paid an absurd sum of money to make the Hollywood elite hoot with laughter for an evening.

The Guardian - Film

It's not available yet in the U.S., although an unlocked version is rumored to be coming on Valentine's Day (for the absurd sum of $899, which includes a bundle of other gear).

TechCrunch

In fact, the phone was a silver edition and was worth 68,000 yuan ($10,000) — an absurd sum of money for a mobile handset anywhere, and even more so in a country with a per capita income of $7,600 (compare that to the U.S. where the per capita GDP is over $47,000).

TechCrunch

It seems I missed out on the opportunity to meet Taylor Swift and get my picture taken with her at the Americana — for the absurd sum of $106.50!

Los Angeles Times

To match the new mood of realism, that salary should be nowhere near the absurd sums that Eriksson received or that Scolari was allegedly offered.

The Guardian - Sport

The absurd sums earned by Wall Street figures are well trodden ground – Fuld agreed to the committee that he had pocketed somewhere between $250m and $350m over the last eight years - and in terms of public esteem, corporate bosses are held somewhere close to arsonists.

The Guardian - Business

He does not believe in letting lieutenants scrape by while a CEO is paid absurd sums.

Forbes

An almost absurd amount of political correctness was demanded in the early years.

Asian Journal of German and European Studies

Juicero has since become something of a symbol of the absurd Silicon Valley startup industry that raises huge sums of money for solutions to non-problems.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "absurd sums of", ensure the context clearly establishes why the amount is considered unreasonable. Provide specific details to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "absurd sums of" without providing context or justification. Ensure the amount being described is genuinely excessive and not merely a large number. For example: "The project cost absurd sums of money, primarily due to unexpected material costs and extensive delays."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absurd sums of" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase specifying the quantity of something, typically money or resources. It highlights the unreasonable or excessive nature of the amount. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absurd sums of" is a phrase used to describe excessively large or unreasonable amounts, typically of money or resources. While Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct, its usage should be deliberate, ensuring the context justifies the subjective assessment of "absurd". Related alternatives include "exorbitant amounts of" and "ridiculous amounts of", each carrying slightly different connotations. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, but can also be found in scientific and business-related articles. Be sure to provide sufficient justification for your use of "absurd sums of" to ensure readers understand why the amount is considered excessive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exorbitant amounts of

Emphasizes the excessively high and often unfair nature of the amounts.

ridiculous amounts of

Highlights the unreasonable and laughable nature of the quantity.

excessive quantities of

Focuses on the surplus and overabundance of the amounts.

unjustifiable amounts of

Stresses the lack of valid reasons to support such large quantities.

preposterous amounts of

Implies the amounts are absurd to the point of being unbelievable.

outrageous quantities of

Highlights the shocking and unacceptable nature of the amounts.

inordinate sums of

Emphasizes the irregular and disproportionate nature of the quantities.

unconscionable amounts of

Focuses on the morally unacceptable and excessive character of the amounts.

unwarranted sums of

Stresses the lack of a justified reason for the quantities.

immense quantities of

Highlights the vastness and enormity of the amount.

FAQs

How can I use "absurd sums of" in a sentence?

Use "absurd sums of" to describe amounts of money or resources that are unreasonably or excessively large. For example, "The company wasted "absurd sums of" money on a failed marketing campaign".

What's a good alternative to "absurd sums of"?

Alternatives include "exorbitant amounts of", "ridiculous amounts of", or "excessive quantities of". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "absurd sums of" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "absurd sums of" can be considered somewhat informal due to the subjective nature of "absurd". In formal writing, consider using more neutral alternatives like "excessive amounts of" or "unjustifiable expenditures".

What makes a sum "absurd"?

A sum is considered "absurd" when it's disproportionate to the value received, or when it's spent on something frivolous or unnecessary. The assessment of absurdity often depends on context and perspective.