exorbitant sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exorbitant sum" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe an extremely large or excessive amount of money. Example: The CEO of the company received an exorbitant sum as his annual bonus, causing outrage among the employees who had not received a raise in years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Never mind the exorbitant sum we'd paid for our chicken and potatoes.

The New York Times - Travel

Fereidoun was released on ten million dollars bail, reduced from fifteen million — an exorbitant sum in any country.

The New Yorker

After paying about $7 — an exorbitant sum in Nigeria — I watched "The Mirror Boy," a hot New Nollywood release.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the cost was $1,200 a month, an exorbitant sum for Ms. Serrano and her mother.

The New York Times

He nationalized the railways and in so doing offered an exorbitant sum to the railway companies and was accused of corruption.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When he finally sold his antiquities collection to the Duke of Buckingham in 1627, he is said to have pocketed an exorbitant sum.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

But the campaign was unprecedented, not least for the exorbitant sums spent by the BJP.

The Economist

The students' parents paid the company exorbitant sums, but my checks were so small I barely made rent.

The New Yorker

The workers allege that they paid exorbitant sums to recruiters in India (up to $20,000), who promised them green cards.

The Economist

For his part, Mr. Ensign has complained that Mr. Hampton tried to extract exorbitant sums from him.

The New York Times

South African breeders have selected for the latter quality over many generations, leading to all-red birds that sell for exorbitant sums.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exorbitant sum" when you want to express that an amount is not only large but also unfair or unreasonable, especially considering the value received in return.

Common error

Avoid using "exorbitant sum" when simply referring to a large amount of money without the implication of unfairness or overpricing. A simple "large amount" might be more appropriate if fairness isn't the issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exorbitant sum" functions as a noun phrase where "exorbitant" modifies the noun "sum". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is commonly used in written English. It typically describes an extremely large or excessive amount of money.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exorbitant sum" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe an unfairly high amount of money. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for expressing disapproval about costs that exceed reasonable expectations. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the context involves an element of unfairness, not just a large quantity. Alternatives like "excessive amount" or "outrageous price" may be suitable if the unfairness aspect is less central. Found primarily in news and encyclopedic sources, "exorbitant sum" maintains a neutral register, suitable for professional and general audiences alike.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive amount

Focuses more on the excessiveness of the amount rather than implying unfairness or unreasonableness.

outrageous price

Specifically refers to the cost of something, implying it's shocking or offensive.

prohibitive cost

Emphasizes that the cost is so high it prevents someone from buying or doing something.

unreasonable expense

Highlights the lack of justification or fairness in the cost.

inflated value

Suggests the price has been artificially increased, possibly beyond its true worth.

exaggerated cost

Implies the price is an overstatement of the true value.

astronomical figure

Emphasizes the extremely large and impressive scale of the amount.

premium price

This refers to a price higher than the standard, usually for quality or exclusivity.

hefty price tag

Informal way of saying something is expensive.

big bucks

Very informal way of talking about a lot of money.

FAQs

How to use "exorbitant sum" in a sentence?

You can use "exorbitant sum" to describe a payment, cost, or price that is considered unreasonably high. For example: "They charged an "exorbitant sum" for repairing the car."

What can I say instead of "exorbitant sum"?

You can use alternatives like "excessive amount", "outrageous price", or "unreasonable expense" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "exorbitant sum" or "exorbitant amount"?

"Exorbitant sum" is typically used when referring to money, while "exorbitant amount" can be used for other countable or uncountable nouns. Therefore, both can be correct depending on the context.

What does "exorbitant sum" imply beyond just being a large amount?

The phrase "exorbitant sum" implies that the amount is not only large but also unfair, unreasonable, or unjustified for what is being received in return. It carries a negative connotation.