comparable sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comparable sum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing amounts or values that can be compared to one another in terms of size, quantity, or significance. Example: "The comparable sum of the two budgets indicates that we need to allocate more resources to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In the Wall Street Journal, Jennifer Maloney reported that an upgrade of stacks at the Library of Congress has cost tens of millions of dollars, a comparable sum.

The New Yorker

Five years later, Quartz itself, despite lacking a name as well known as that of The Post or The Globe, could fetch a comparable sum.

The New York Times

Its beleaguered president, Sepp Blatter, doled out $100m after protests rocked Brazil during the 2013 Confederations Cup – and a comparable sum to South Africa after the 2010 World Cup.

The Guardian - Opinion

"If we say Turkey has indeed spent €7bn over the past few years, then in turn, that would mean the EU should also shoulder a comparable sum," she said at the close of the talks.

The Guardian

Dr Ghada Karmi London Missing from your report (£7bn pledged to provide humanitarian aid for Syrians, 5 February) is any mention of the very pertinent fact the west and their allies have spent a comparable sum of money escalating the war that has created the humanitarian crisis in the first place.

The Guardian - Opinion

As we speculated yesterday, founder Max Levchin did the best out of the sale, making a comparable sum to the one he made from PayPal – proving once again the value of investing in your own idea.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

On Tuesday, Gov. George E. Pataki proposed that the state assist the victims' families by either paying for public universities in the state or giving comparable sums for expenses at private campuses in the state.

The New York Times

Comparable sums spent on sales and marketing particularly on direct-to-consumer advertising in America are lambasted for corrupting doctors and creating demand on the back of fancy publicity rather than legitimate medical need or product superiority.

The Economist

Even individual companies such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield (which also spent $4.1 million in the first quarter) are throwing comparable sums on lobbying.

Forbes

Interestingly, reaction with either complex generated comparable summed intensities of mono-, di- and trimethylated H3-K27, suggesthat that both complexes are comparably efficient in generating the different methylated states of H3-K27.

EMBO Journal

EDF, for example, plans to invest around £30 billion in British nuclear power a sum comparable to its market capitalisation of around £42 billion.Labour's planned price freeze, by itself, would not make the energy market more competitive.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comparable sum" when you want to indicate that two amounts or values are similar in magnitude or significance. This phrase is effective in drawing comparisons between different figures or quantities.

Common error

Avoid using "comparable sum" when the amounts being discussed are vastly different. It is important that the amounts are realistically close enough to warrant a comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comparable sum" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. It describes a quantity that is similar in magnitude to another quantity, facilitating comparisons. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "comparable sum" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for indicating that two amounts are similar in magnitude. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is most frequently found in news and media and scientific contexts, signaling a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, ensure that the amounts being compared are indeed realistically close. Alternatives like "similar amount" or "equivalent amount" can be used to add variety to your writing. The phrase serves the purpose of establishing a relationship between different figures, often to add context or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

similar amount

Replaces "comparable" with "similar", emphasizing likeness in quantity.

equivalent amount

Uses "equivalent" to highlight the equal value or quantity.

corresponding sum

Substitutes "comparable" with "corresponding", suggesting a direct relationship or match.

matching amount

Emphasizes that the two sums are equal or nearly equal.

proportionate sum

Indicates that the sum is in the same ratio or proportion.

commensurate amount

Replaces "comparable" with "commensurate", indicating a proportional or corresponding measure.

analogous sum

Uses "analogous" to suggest similarity in certain respects, though not identical.

related amount

Suggests a connection or relationship between the amounts.

approximate amount

Highlights that the sums are close in value but not necessarily identical.

nearly equal sum

Emphasizes the near equality of the two sums.

FAQs

How can I use "comparable sum" in a sentence?

You can use "comparable sum" to highlight that two amounts are similar in magnitude or importance. For example: "The "comparable sum" of the two budgets indicates that we need to allocate more resources to the project."

What are some alternatives to "comparable sum"?

Alternatives include "similar amount", "equivalent amount", or "matching amount" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a sum comparable to"?

Yes, "a sum comparable to" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It emphasizes that one amount is similar in size or value to another.

What's the difference between "comparable sum" and "exact sum"?

"Comparable sum" implies the amounts are similar but not identical, while "exact sum" means the amounts are precisely the same. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize similarity or precise equality.