an equivalent sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an equivalent sum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a value or amount that is equal to another in a financial or mathematical context. Example: "The total cost of the project was $10,000, and we need to allocate an equivalent sum from our budget for the next phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Details emerged last week of plans for China to invest an equivalent sum in electricity and water projects as a way of circumventing the restrictions.

The Guardian

We applauded, but also looked with envy, when the PM announced an additional £100m for sport in schools recently, because we knew that an equivalent sum to encourage new talent in the arts would yield extraordinary returns.

The Guardian - Opinion

Until May 1, buyers will be able to either apply 3.5 percent of the final sales price to closing costs or use an equivalent sum for their choice of appliances.

The New York Times

The already hard-pressed Ministry of Justice is cutting a further £250m, and local government is to lose £200m as a result of a failure to spend an equivalent sum last year provided by the Department of Health for public health, now a local government responsibility.

The Guardian

As a gesture toward mitigating the let-them-eat-cake extravagance of the price of a meal at the new Alain Ducasse restaurant described by William Grimes in "The Perfect Tempest: A Sneak Preview of Ducasse" (July 12), perhaps diners there -- or the restaurant itself -- could somehow be persuaded to donate an equivalent sum to an organization devoted to ending hunger and poverty.

The New York Times

There are no prizes for predicting the likely press reaction to a plea which sought to commit an equivalent sum from public funds to create an endowment to build serious collections of 20th and 21st century art in, say, six regional museums across the country".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

After burning through $50 and a roughly equivalent sum of calories, Mrs. Hicks stood up, gulped down her amaretto and orange juice, and pronounced the workout-gambling experience worthwhile.

The New York Times

We estimated the impact of an 80% reimbursement for the cheapest malaria chemoprophylaxis regimen or a voucher for the equivalent sum of money (" 80% reimbursement strategy" label in tables).

BMC Infectious Diseases

Only the group (or a group of people with the equivalent sum of expertise) could accomplish this.

Educational Psychologist

So in exchange for an annual pension of £10,000, a worker can accept an equivalent capital sum - say £300,000.

BBC

(The equivalent sum for the EU today would be in excess of $800bn).

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for an audience, if you are using "an equivalent sum" try to provide the absolute value too, to increase memorability and help readers to get a sense of the scale.

Common error

Avoid using "an equivalent sum" when you mean 'an approximate sum'. Equivalence implies a precise match, not just a rough estimate. Use "a similar amount" if precision isn't guaranteed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an equivalent sum" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or following a preposition. It indicates a quantity or amount that is equal in value to another specified amount. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an equivalent sum" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to express a quantity or amount equal in value to another. While not extremely common, it finds its primary use in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, as identified by Ludwig. To ensure clarity, specify what the sum is equivalent to and avoid using the phrase when you mean 'approximate'. Alternatives like "a comparable amount" or "a matching amount" can be used depending on the desired level of precision. Ludwig AI confirms the acceptability of the phrase and its utility across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comparable amount

This alternative replaces "equivalent sum" with "comparable amount", focusing on the similarity in quantity.

a matching amount

This alternative replaces "equivalent sum" with "matching amount", emphasizing the direct correspondence in value.

an equal amount

This alternative uses "equal amount" instead of "equivalent sum", simplifying the phrase while maintaining the same meaning.

a similar quantity

This alternative uses "similar quantity" and it fits well in some contexts.

a corresponding sum

This alternative replaces "equivalent" with "corresponding", suggesting a direct relationship or correspondence in amount.

the same amount

This alternative uses "the same amount", which can be more direct in some contexts.

a parallel amount

This alternative replaces "equivalent" with "parallel", suggesting a relationship of equivalence.

an analogous sum

This alternative replaces "equivalent" with "analogous", suggesting a similarity in function or proportion.

a proportionate amount

This alternative uses "proportionate amount", emphasizing the relative size of the amount in question.

a commensurate sum

This alternative uses "commensurate sum", suggesting that the sum is appropriately related to something else.

FAQs

How can I use "an equivalent sum" in a sentence?

You can use "an equivalent sum" to indicate an amount that is equal in value or size to another. For example: "The company invested $1 million in research and development, and allocated "an equivalent sum" for marketing."

What phrases can I use instead of "an equivalent sum"?

Alternatives to "an equivalent sum" include "a comparable amount", "a matching amount", or "an equal amount", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "an equivalent sum" or "the equivalent amount"?

Both "an equivalent sum" and "the equivalent amount" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "an equivalent sum" and "a similar amount"?

"An equivalent sum" implies a precise equality in value, while "a similar amount" suggests an approximation or near equality. The appropriate phrase depends on the level of precision you wish to convey.