colossal sum of money

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "colossal sum of money" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a very large amount of money, often in contexts related to finance, investments, or expenses. Example: "The company was willing to invest a colossal sum of money in the new project to ensure its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But the colossal sums of money they made went elsewhere.

The Economist

As direct participants they would be in a position to make connections, between a debate about colossal sums of money, structures and outcomes.

Independent

With governments around the world continuing to pump colossal sums of money into their plunging economies, a grand global experiment is under way: can the unprecedented spending provide not only a quick fix for the economic catastrophe but also the measures vital for dealing with global warming?

The Guardian

After all, corporate America spends colossal sums of money only to shape elections in favor of the likes of Joe and his friends.

Huffington Post

Led by France and Germany, European countries have decided to spend colossal sums of taxpayers' money they cannot afford to heal mounting internal disparities they cannot conceal to shore up an edifice many believe cannot stand.

The New York Times

But the project had cost him the colossal sum of £15,000 and within a decade he was broke.

The Guardian

Why has Pfizer been fined the colossal sum of £84.2m over a drug it makes to control epilepsy seizures?

The Guardian - Business

It happened when the broadcaster last year agreed the colossal sum of £4.18bn for five plum prizes in the Premier League's auction of rights for three seasons.

The Guardian - Business

The total expenditure on the castle had soared to the colossal sum of over one million pounds (£817 million in 2008 terms) by the end of the project.

Wikipedia

In that at least colossal sums of taxpayer's money aren't being committed via murky deals in the kind of hidden-away government rooms that used to be smoke-filled.

BBC

"We need to get to a situation where the U.S. doesn't lose us a colossal amount of money," Mr. Gulliver said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to determine if a more precise term would be more appropriate. While "colossal" conveys size, other terms might better highlight the money's importance, source, or effect.

Common error

Avoid using "colossal sum of money" for relatively small or ordinary amounts. This creates hyperbole and undermines the phrase's impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "colossal sum of money" functions as a noun phrase. It serves to quantify and characterize a monetary amount, emphasizing its significant size and impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. The examples illustrate its use in various contexts, all highlighting the immensity of the money involved.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "colossal sum of money" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a very large amount of money. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, highlighting that it's suitable for emphasizing the sheer size and impact of the amount. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase can add a touch of drama to your writing, but remember to avoid overusing it for smaller amounts as it risks undermining its intended effect. Consider alternatives like "vast amount of money" or "huge amount of money" for variations in emphasis or tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vast amount of money

Focuses on the immensity of the money involved; replaces "colossal" with a synonym.

huge amount of money

Emphasizes the size of the money; replaces "colossal" with a common synonym.

substantial amount of money

Highlights the significance of the monetary value; replaces "colossal" with a term indicating importance.

significant sum of money

Emphasizes the noteworthiness of the money involved; replaces "colossal" with a synonym for importance.

considerable amount of money

Highlights the largeness of the amount. This alternative is less dramatic.

large sum of money

A more generic way to express a considerable amount of money. Less emphatic than "colossal".

exorbitant amount of money

Implies that the sum of money is excessive or unreasonably high.

astronomical sum of money

Draws a comparison to the vastness of space to emphasize the amount.

immense fortune

Uses a noun to describe the large sum of money, focusing on the overall wealth.

princely sum

Implies that the money is fit for royalty. Less common than the alternatives above.

FAQs

How can I use "colossal sum of money" in a sentence?

You can use "colossal sum of money" to describe an exceptionally large amount of money. For example, "The project required a "colossal sum of money" to complete."

What are some alternatives to "colossal sum of money"?

Alternatives include "vast amount of money", "huge amount of money", or "substantial amount of money", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "colossal sum of money" in formal writing?

Yes, "colossal sum of money" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when emphasizing the magnitude of the amount. However, consider if a more precise term might be more suitable for the context.

What's the difference between "colossal sum of money" and "large sum of money"?

"Colossal sum of money" implies a much greater amount than a simple "large sum of money". "Colossal" emphasizes the extreme size and impact, while "large" is a more general term.