insignificant sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "insignificant sum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an amount of money or value that is considered too small to be important or worthy of attention. Example: "The donation was an insignificant sum compared to the total cost of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

That is not an insignificant sum.

The Guardian

That is a relatively insignificant sum for Verizon, which takes in more than that each month.

The New York Times

"Not an insignificant sum given our £90bn fiscal deficit," he noted.

The Guardian

Townshend estimated that the acts would produce the insignificant sum of £40,000 for the British Treasury.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Lowry added that the dollar savings from reducing superintendent pay would amount to an insignificant sum in comparison with Mr. Cuomo's cut to local school aid.

The New York Times

They also say that the fines levied by the league so far have been modest, with most below $10,000 -- basically an insignificant sum to athletes who make hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars a year.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

These are not insignificant sums.

Independent

Such relatively insignificant sums would be well below Mr. Pittman's review, executives said.

The New York Times

"It's not the money," he said, but rather what he considers excessive auditing over insignificant sums.

The New York Times

But the difficulty of mounting such suits over insignificant sums would not make them very attractive to most lawyers.

The New York Times

"As long as violations of data protection law are penalized with such insignificant sums, the ability of existing laws to protect personal privacy in the digital world, with its high potential for abuse, is barely possible," Mr. Caspar said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "insignificant sum", ensure the context clearly establishes what larger value it's being compared against to highlight its lack of importance.

Common error

Avoid using "insignificant sum" when the amount, though small in some contexts, could be significant to certain individuals or smaller entities. Always consider the audience and their perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insignificant sum" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a sentence or clause. It describes an amount or quantity that is considered negligible or unimportant within a given context. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "insignificant sum" is a noun phrase used to describe an amount that is considered unimportant or negligible. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While grammatically sound and understandable, it’s crucial to ensure proper contextual use, considering the audience and scale involved. Alternatives such as "negligible amount" or "trivial sum" can provide similar meanings with slightly different connotations. Remember to consider the scale and context when using this phrase to accurately convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negligible amount

This phrase emphasizes that the amount is so small it's hardly worth considering.

trivial sum

This suggests the amount is unimportant and easily dismissed.

meager quantity

Focuses on the smallness in terms of quantity rather than value.

paltry sum

Implies the amount is not only small but also contemptibly so.

trifling amount

Highlights the lack of significance or worth of the amount.

minor figure

This phrase downplays the value by associating it with a lesser number.

small change

An idiom indicating a trivial or insignificant amount of money.

modest sum

Suggests the amount is relatively small, without necessarily implying unimportance.

tiny fraction

Implies that the amount is just a small proportion of a larger whole.

minimal quantity

Emphasizes the extremely small size of the amount.

FAQs

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

You can use "insignificant sum" to describe an amount of money or value that is too small to be important. For example, "The donation was an "insignificant sum" compared to the project's total cost."

What can I say instead of "insignificant sum"?

Alternatives to "insignificant sum" include "negligible amount", "trivial sum", or "paltry sum", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "insignificant sum" is appropriate for formal writing, but consider the connotation. If you want to sound more neutral, use "modest amount"; if you want to emphasize the lack of importance, "insignificant sum" is suitable.

What's the difference between "insignificant sum" and "small amount"?

"Small amount" simply indicates a quantity that is not large. "Insignificant sum" implies that the amount is so small that it is unimportant or negligible in a particular context. The former is more neutral, while the latter carries a stronger connotation of unimportance.