for a nominal sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a nominal sum" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is being offered or sold for a small or insignificant amount of money. Example: "The old furniture was sold for a nominal sum, making it affordable for anyone looking to furnish their home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

The corporate identity, Mr. Ashtari said, was bought a year ago for a nominal sum after the original owners, the Tigler family of Dusseldorf, West Germany, had run into financial difficulties.

The New York Times

This asset was created for a nominal sum of £1.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said the matter was settled with the agency for a "nominal" sum.

The New York Times

The joint venture was also given 239.95 acres of land for a nominal sum.

The New York Times

The perception grew after the midfielder's move to Stockport County for a nominal sum in 1994.

Independent

OpCapita acquired electrical retailer Comet from its owner Kesa Electricals last year for a nominal sum of £2.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

The Times reported that Manafort's lawyer denied his client received management fees from the partnership making the investments in the Cayman Islands, but Gates, who is also now working for Trump, received a "nominal" sum.

The Washington Post

If the prosecutors believed it was "not probable" and was not "overwhelmingly likely" that Mr Ecclestone would be convicted then perhaps it would have been more appropriate for them to demand a nominal sum such as a single Dollar rather than $100 million.

Forbes

Arqiva, previously a 37% shareholder in Digital One, is understood to have paid a nominal sum for Global Radio's 63% stake.

The Guardian

Others will be paying just a nominal sum for their home loan compared with last summer if the Bank, as is widely predicted, slashes rates from 1.5%to1%1.5%to1%

The Guardian - Money

So the immediate fix is more money from alums, particularly the 75percentt of its 15,000 members who paid a nominal sum for lifetime membership decades ago and are now being asked for voluntary dues.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when using this phrase. While widely understood, it may be more appropriate in business or news contexts than in academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "for a nominal sum" when the amount is actually substantial, even if it's lower than expected. The term implies a nearly insignificant amount, and misusing it can mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a nominal sum" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the price or cost at which something was obtained or sold. It specifies the circumstances of the action, highlighting that the transaction occurred at a significantly reduced price. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for a nominal sum" is a commonly used prepositional phrase used to describe something that is acquired at a very low cost. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English writing. It's best suited for news, business, and general contexts, although may be less common in academic or scientific writing where greater precision might be expected. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly conveys the significant difference between the item's perceived value and the actual price paid.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for next to nothing

Emphasizes the insignificance of the cost.

for a pittance

Suggests the amount paid is very small and almost worthless.

for a trifling amount

Highlights the trivial nature of the sum.

at a giveaway price

Focuses on how cheap the item is. Emphasizes extremely low cost.

at a bargain price

Focuses on the advantageous price, emphasizing the deal aspect.

for a song

An idiomatic expression indicating a very cheap price.

for a fraction of the cost

Highlights how small the price is compared to the actual value.

at a reduced rate

Implies a discount from an original price.

for peanuts

An informal way to express a very low price.

at cost price

Indicates that the item is sold without profit.

FAQs

How can I use "for a nominal sum" in a sentence?

You can use "for a nominal sum" to indicate that something was acquired or offered at a very low price. For example: "The company acquired the failing business "for a nominal sum"."

What are some alternatives to "for a nominal sum"?

Alternatives include "for next to nothing", "at a bargain price", or "for a pittance", all of which convey the idea of a very low cost.

Is it appropriate to use "for a nominal sum" in formal writing?

Yes, "for a nominal sum" is generally appropriate in formal and business writing. However, consider your audience. If you seek a more technical term, "at a significantly reduced cost" might be more suitable.

What does "nominal" really mean in "for a nominal sum"?

In this context, "nominal" means something that exists in name only or is very small compared to what is expected. So, "for a nominal sum" means the amount paid was much less than the actual worth or the usual price.