gifts of nominal value

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'gifts of nominal value' is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to gifts that are of small monetary value. For example, "Although I highly appreciated the gesture, I had to decline my co-worker's offer of a gift of nominal value."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Still, because the policy does allow for individual gifts of "nominal" value, some backsliding has occurred.

The New York Times - Style

The concern in some ways parallels the issue of "gifts of nominal value"—a specific and specialized quotation that nevertheless generated more than 32,000 "hits" in a Google search performed August 2007.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

State rules limit gifts to something of "nominal value" — a coffee mug or maybe a plastic Frisbee emblazoned with a donor's logo.

The New York Times

No regulations govern study abroad programs, except a voluntary code of ethics from an industry trade group that limits members to "gifts that are of nominal value and that do not seem intended to influence professional decisions".

The New York Times

Compensation includes non-monetary items, except those of nominal value.

Cornell University

State law forbids officials in the executive branch from soliciting or accepting gifts of more than nominal value from any lobbyist if the gift appears intended to sway the official.

The New York Times

While it is not uncommon for politicians to receive complimentary tickets to sporting events, state ethics law prohibits executive branch officials from soliciting or accepting gifts of more than nominal value from any lobbyist if the gift appears intended to sway the official.

The New York Times

Laws should require timely disclosure of all gifts over a nominal value and make clear that quid pro quos are illegal.

Huffington Post

Ethics laws should prohibit all public officials and their immediate family members from soliciting or accepting gifts over a nominal value.

Huffington Post

Greece's creditors will be asked to increase their 'haircut' to 53.5% of the nominal value of their bonds, up from their previous maximum of 50%.

The Guardian - Business

Published estimates of the nominal value of all credit-default-swap contracts in the world today are in the range of $55 trillion to $60 trillion.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific legal or ethical guideline, ensure you accurately define what constitutes a "gift of nominal value" as interpretations can vary across different contexts.

Common error

Don't assume everyone interprets "nominal value" the same way. Always clarify the monetary limit or specific examples to avoid misunderstandings or unintended ethical breaches.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gifts of nominal value" functions as a noun phrase. It identifies a category of items characterized by their low monetary worth. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in contexts involving ethics, regulations, and policies regarding acceptable presents.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gifts of nominal value" refers to presents that have a small monetary worth, often used in the context of ethical guidelines or policies. Ludwig shows that it is used in news, scientific and academic contexts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. While not extremely common, its usage is consistent. To ensure clarity, always define the monetary limit or examples associated with "gifts of nominal value" to avoid misunderstandings. Alternative phrases include "gifts of little value" and "gifts of insignificant value".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gifts of little value

Replaces "nominal" with "little", emphasizing the low monetary worth of the gifts.

gifts of insignificant value

Substitutes "nominal" with "insignificant", highlighting the lack of importance or consequence attached to the gift's value.

gifts of token value

Uses "token" instead of "nominal", suggesting the gift is symbolic rather than materially valuable.

gifts of minimal worth

Employs "minimal worth", focusing on the very small economic value of the gifts.

gifts of trifling value

Replaces "nominal" with "trifling", indicating the value is so small as to be negligible.

gifts of symbolic value

Changes "nominal" to "symbolic", suggesting the gifts are more important for what they represent than for their price.

low-value gifts

Simplifies the phrase structure, using "low-value" as a compound adjective before "gifts".

inexpensive gifts

Replaces the entire phrase with a direct adjective describing the gifts as not costly.

small gifts

Offers a more general term, referring to the size or perceived value of the gifts, not necessarily their monetary worth.

modest gifts

Emphasizes the understated and humble nature of the gifts.

FAQs

How can I use "gifts of nominal value" in a sentence?

You can use "gifts of nominal value" to describe presents that are small in monetary worth, often permitted where acceptance of more valuable items would be inappropriate. For instance, "The policy allows for the acceptance of "gifts of nominal value" but prohibits anything that could be perceived as a bribe."

What is a synonym for "gifts of nominal value"?

Alternatives to "gifts of nominal value" include "gifts of little value", "gifts of insignificant value", or "low-value gifts". These phrases all convey the idea of presents with a small monetary worth.

What's the difference between "gifts of nominal value" and "gifts of significant value"?

"Gifts of nominal value" are those with little monetary worth, often permitted under certain ethical guidelines. In contrast, "gifts of significant value" are more substantial and could raise concerns about conflicts of interest or undue influence.

In what contexts might "gifts of nominal value" be acceptable?

Gifts considered to be of "nominal value" might be acceptable in situations where declining would be impolite, as tokens of appreciation, or in professional settings where strict rules prohibit larger or more lavish items. The acceptance often depends on the organization's policies.