hefty sum

USAGE SUMMARY

"hefty sum" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a large amount of money. For example, "The daycare center charges a hefty sum each month for tuition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All indications are that it was a hefty sum.

The New York Times

The same hefty sum is to be spent in 2006.

The New York Times

Although still a hefty sum, Murdoch's annual pay packet was his smallest since 2003.

The Guardian

Participants cough up the hefty sum of £200 (or £180 concession) for this privilege.

The Guardian

The penalty was reduced to $175m on settlement—still a hefty sum.

The Economist

Traffickers would, for a hefty sum, drive refugees from the Serbian border straight to the hotel.

The Guardian

Commodore, meanwhile, was forced to buy Amiga Corporation for a hefty sum to import technology.

The Telegraph

With 100 potential venues this could be a hefty sum which would come back to the government.

The Guardian - Sport

About the only sure thing is that, whatever he decides, it will cost the taxpayers a hefty sum.

The New York Times

They would end up paying a hefty sum in luxury tax, making the trade a bad one for monetary reasons.

The New York Times - Sports

That's a hefty sum for a single assignment, and it comes as merger activity in general has slackened.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hefty sum" when you want to emphasize that an amount of money is surprisingly or notably large. It adds a touch of informal emphasis without being overly colloquial.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "hefty sum" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "substantial amount" or "considerable sum" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hefty sum" functions as a noun phrase, where "hefty" modifies the noun "sum". It indicates a significant amount of money, often implying it is surprisingly or unexpectedly large. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hefty sum" is a commonly used expression to describe a large amount of money, implying that it is significant or substantial. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally acceptable, it's best to consider your audience; in very formal or academic writing, alternatives like "substantial amount" or "considerable sum" may be more appropriate. The phrase's versatility makes it suitable for various situations where you want to emphasize the size and importance of an amount of money.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial amount

Focuses on the amount being significant, similar to "hefty", but uses a more neutral term.

considerable sum

Emphasizes the sum is noteworthy or significant in size or impact.

large quantity

Shifts the focus from monetary value to general quantity, applicable in broader contexts.

significant figure

Highlights the numerical value as important or impactful.

enormous price

Replaces "sum" with "price" to underscore the high cost associated with something.

sizeable fortune

Implies a large and impressive amount, often suggesting wealth.

impressive total

Emphasizes the total amount as being remarkable or noteworthy.

generous contribution

Highlights the act of giving a large amount, often in a charitable context.

grand total

Focuses on the overall amount being large and significant.

big payout

Suggests a substantial amount of money being paid out, often as a reward or settlement.

FAQs

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

You can use "hefty sum" to describe a large amount of money, for example: "The company had to pay a "substantial fine" after the audit revealed accounting errors."

What are some alternatives to saying "hefty sum"?

Alternatives to "hefty sum" include "considerable amount", "substantial sum", or "significant figure", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "hefty sum" in formal writing?

While generally understood, "hefty sum" leans towards the informal side. For formal writing, consider using alternatives like "considerable amount" or "substantial sum".

What's the difference between "hefty sum" and "large sum"?

"Hefty sum" implies that the amount is surprisingly or notably large, whereas "large sum" simply indicates that the amount is big. "Hefty" adds an element of emphasis beyond just size.