nominal sum

USAGE SUMMARY

"nominal sum" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to describe an amount of money that is considered to be very small or insignificant relative to the value of something else. For example, "The company was granted permission to build on the land, but they had to pay the owner a nominal sum as compensation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Legislators are paid only a nominal sum.

The Economist

This asset was created for a nominal sum of £1.

The Guardian - Opinion

"There was a nominal sum but no, I wasn't tempted to sell it.

The Guardian

The couple are seeking a nominal sum of £1 each and an apology from each party.

The Guardian

He said the matter was settled with the agency for a "nominal" sum.

The New York Times

The joint venture was also given 239.95 acres of land for a nominal sum.

The New York Times

The perception grew after the midfielder's move to Stockport County for a nominal sum in 1994.

Independent

It even allows the independent assessor to reduce payments to a nominal sum on account of previous convictions.

The Guardian - Opinion

OpCapita acquired electrical retailer Comet from its owner Kesa Electricals last year for a nominal sum of £2.

The Guardian - Business

STV, Scotland's ITV licensee, has sold cinema advertising business Pearl & Dean for a nominal sum of £1.

The Guardian

Wimbledon could be sold for a nominal sum or even declared bankrupt, according to the club's owner Bjorn Rune Gjelsten.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nominal sum", ensure the context clearly indicates that the amount is small relative to the value or transaction it's associated with. For instance, use it when describing the sale of a company for a very low price due to its debts.

Common error

Avoid using "nominal sum" when referring to amounts that are merely small but still substantial in the given situation. "Nominal" implies an insignificance that shouldn't be overstated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nominal sum" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically modifying another noun to indicate that a sum of money is very small or insignificant relative to the context. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nominal sum" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a very small or insignificant amount of money, particularly in relation to a larger transaction or value. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is generally used correctly and is appropriate for neutral and professional contexts. Primarily found in news and media, it highlights a disproportion between a stated value and actual worth. Consider related phrases like "token amount" or "insignificant amount" for subtle variations in emphasis. Avoid using it when the amount, though small, holds real significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

token amount

Focuses on the symbolic or representative nature of the amount, rather than its actual value.

small amount

Emphasizes the diminutive quantity of the sum.

insignificant amount

Highlights the lack of importance or impact of the sum.

minimal payment

Focuses on the payment aspect, indicating the lowest possible amount required.

peppercorn rent

An idiomatic expression referring to a very low or nominal rent.

trifling sum

Emphasizes the unimportance and triviality of the amount.

mere pittance

Suggests the amount is scarcely enough to be considered significant.

symbolic payment

Highlights that the payment is made more for symbolic reasons than for its actual value.

peanuts

An informal term indicating a very small amount of money.

peccadillo

Referring more to the nature of the problem as small/insignificant rather than the sum. A peccadillo is a relatively minor sin or offense.

FAQs

How to use "nominal sum" in a sentence?

You can use "nominal sum" to describe a payment or price that is very low compared to the actual value or cost. For example, "The company was sold for a "nominal sum" of £1 due to its heavy debts."

What can I say instead of "nominal sum"?

You can use alternatives like "token amount", "small amount", or "insignificant amount" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "nominal sum" or "normal sum"?

"Nominal sum" is correct when referring to a very small or symbolic amount. "Normal sum" simply means an average or typical amount and is not interchangeable with "nominal sum".

What's the difference between "nominal sum" and "minimum sum"?

"Nominal sum" implies the amount is so small it's almost negligible, often for symbolic reasons. "Minimum sum" refers to the lowest acceptable amount but still suggests a significant value, unlike a "nominal sum".