handsome sums of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "handsome sums of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to large amounts of money or significant financial figures, often in a positive or impressive context. Example: "The auction raised handsome sums of money for charity, exceeding all expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is utterly silent, the kind of precious outdoor quiet that may one day require handsome sums of money to experience.

Forbes

It is apparent that folks like Briggs and Rhee who trash teachers and denigrate their profession are paid handsome sums of money for really amateurish work.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I sold it to my friends for the handsome sum of 50p".

The Guardian - Books

The most famous example in business history is Henry Ford's decision, in 1914, to start paying his workers the then handsome sum of five dollars a day.

The New Yorker

Not to her birth parents, Bella had learned, but with her nanny, who had received a handsome sum of money for them to settle comfortably in the countryside.

The New Yorker

As spreads in credit default swaps for AIG whipsawed last year leading up to the September rescue, Goldman probably made a handsome sum of money.

Forbes

First, Monster has paid a handsome sum of money for a company that offers neither a large user base nor coveted technological capabilities (as far as I can tell, these are simple CRUD websites built on Ruby on Rails).

TechCrunch

When they lost Fraser Forster for the handsome sum of £10m, they turned to Gordon, a free agent, and he's as good, if not better, than Forster ever was.

BBC

Many college presidents are paid quite a handsome sum of money for their services.

Huffington Post

Such challenges may have justified paying the handsome sum of $250,000 in consulting fees to a search firm and giving it the task of scouring the entire country for months on a mission to land the best possible candidate.

Los Angeles Times

In addition to the handsome sum of £10 per day as commander-in-chief, he received a variety of other stipends, including his colonel's salary, given for leading his regiment.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "handsome sums of" to describe amounts of money that are significant and often associated with positive outcomes or generosity. For example, "The charity raised handsome sums of money at the gala."

Common error

While "handsome sums of" is a valid phrase, avoid overusing it in your writing. Vary your language by using alternatives such as "substantial amounts of" or "considerable sums of" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "handsome sums of" primarily functions as a noun phrase modifier, where "handsome" modifies "sums", indicating a large and attractive amount of money. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "handsome sums of" is used to describe considerable amounts of money, often in a positive or impressive context. Although considered grammatically correct by Ludwig AI, it is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media sources. While effective, it's advisable to use varied language to maintain writing interest. Alternatives include "substantial amounts of" or "considerable sums of". While the phrase itself it's perfectly correct, bear in mind that it is best suited to neutral or slightly formal writing and use with caution in academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial amounts of

Replaces "handsome" with "substantial", emphasizing the considerable size or quantity.

considerable sums of

Uses "considerable" instead of "handsome", highlighting the significance of the amounts.

large amounts of

A simpler and more direct way to express the same concept, using "large" to indicate size.

significant sums of

Replaces "handsome" with "significant", focusing on the importance or impact of the amounts.

generous amounts of

Suggests that the amounts are not only large but also given or provided willingly and abundantly.

a great deal of money

Offers a more general expression for a large quantity of money.

substantial sums

Omits "of", streamlining the phrase while retaining the core meaning.

considerable wealth

Shifts the focus to the overall wealth implied by the sums, rather than the specific amounts.

handsome reward

Changes the context to focus on a reward that is considered attractive or generous.

large financial rewards

Replaces "sums" with "financial rewards", clarifying the nature of the large amounts.

FAQs

What does "handsome sums of" mean?

The phrase "handsome sums of" refers to a large or considerable amount of money, often suggesting that the amount is impressive or desirable.

How can I use "handsome sums of" in a sentence?

You can use "handsome sums of" to describe donations, earnings, or investments. For example: "The company invested "substantial sums of" money in research and development."

What can I say instead of "handsome sums of"?

You can use alternatives like "substantial amounts of", "considerable sums of", or "large amounts of" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "handsome sums of" in formal writing?

Yes, "handsome sums of" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in business or news contexts, where it adds a touch of sophistication without being overly informal. However, consider using "significant funds" if a more neutral tone is desired.