large sum of money

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "large sum of money" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it any time you want to communicate the concept of a large amount of money, such as in a sentence like: "The company spent a large sum of money on upgrading their equipment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a large sum of money.

The New York Times - Magazine

No one is a better person for having a large sum of money at their disposal.

The Guardian - Books

It seemed like an inordinately large sum of money so I never felt particularly tempted.

The Guardian

"That's a large sum of money in a market where raising capital is tough.

The Guardian - Business

The medical director had ceded his official accommodation in return for a large sum of money.

The New Yorker

"He bought it for quite a large sum of money," Mr. Helprin recalled.

The New York Times

What are the advantages and disadvantages of suddenly receiving (through luck alone) a large sum of money?

The New York Times

In return for a large sum of money, the agency was offered pre-sight of the copy to "correct inaccuracies".

The Guardian - Opinion

At first the kidnappers seemed to be demanding certain fishing rights and a large sum of money.

The New York Times

"How was such a large sum of money handled and transferred, and how does it relate to accounting practices generally?

The Guardian - Sport

He said Mr. Tinnemeyer had "stolen a large sum of money, all proceeds from illegal drug activity".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and the specific context when using "large sum of money". More informal alternatives like "fortune" or "pile of cash" may be appropriate in casual conversation, but avoid them in professional writing.

Common error

Avoid using "large sum of money" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or even pretentious. Instead, opt for more relaxed expressions like "a lot of money" or "a fortune".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "large sum of money" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies a significant monetary amount, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

20%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "large sum of money" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a significant amount of money. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English across various contexts. It functions primarily as a noun phrase, emphasizing the size or importance of the financial amount. While its register is generally neutral, it tends to appear more frequently in news, media, and wiki contexts than in highly formal settings. When aiming for a more informal tone, consider using alternatives like "a lot of money" or "fortune".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial amount of money

Replaces "large" with "substantial", indicating a considerable amount.

considerable sum of money

Uses "considerable" instead of "large", suggesting a notable quantity.

a great deal of money

Replaces "large sum" with "a great deal", maintaining a similar level of formality.

significant amount of funds

Substitutes "sum" with "amount" and "money" with the more formal "funds".

whopping amount of money

Adds emphasis to the size of the sum using the adjective "whopping".

fortune

A shorter, more emphatic term implying a very large sum.

large capital investment

Focuses on the money being used for investment purposes.

big pile of cash

A more informal and visual way to describe a large sum of money.

king's ransom

An idiom suggesting an extremely high price or value.

a treasure

Emphasizes the high value of the sum, suggesting rarity and desirability.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "large sum of money"?

You can use alternatives like "substantial amount of money", "considerable sum of money", or "fortune" depending on the context.

How to use "large sum of money" in a sentence?

You can use "large sum of money" to describe a significant amount of money, for example: "The company invested a "large sum of money" in research and development." or "He inherited a "large sum of money" from his grandfather."

Is "large sum of money" formal or informal?

"Large sum of money" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal expression. While suitable for news reports, financial analyses, or business communications, it may sound a bit too formal for casual conversation. More informal alternatives include "a lot of money" or "a fortune".

What's the difference between "large sum of money" and "substantial sum of money"?

The phrases "large sum of money" and "substantial sum of money" are very similar in meaning. "Substantial" simply emphasizes that the amount is significant or considerable, adding a bit more formality.