paltry sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "paltry sum" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a small or insignificant amount of money. Example: Despite working hard for years, John was only able to save a paltry sum for his retirement.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It seems like a paltry sum".

The New York Times

Relative to total health spending, that's a paltry sum.

The New York Times

"It's such a paltry sum for a life," she said.

The New York Times

Now Fin wouldn't go home with the paltry sum of £5.

The Guardian

That's a paltry sum, I know, but my main goal wasn't riches.

The New York Times

Let's not forget, these are base salaries of around £1m, so not a paltry sum.

The Guardian - Opinion

Andersen has offered $750m to settle claims, which plaintiffs will consider a paltry sum.

The Economist

What about that paltry sum he received back in the 1960s?

The Guardian - Money

A paltry sum to the veterans of Argentina but, none the less, not one to be sniffed at.

The Guardian - Books

It seems a somewhat paltry sum considering the company is being tipped for an $11bn£7.3bnbn) flotation.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

With a glut of unsold seats now on the market, top price berths are still fetching the relatively-paltry sum of just over $100.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "paltry sum" when you want to emphasize that an amount of money or something else is surprisingly or disappointingly small, especially in contrast to what was expected or needed.

Common error

Avoid using "paltry sum" in highly formal or technical documents where a more neutral term like "small amount" or "insignificant quantity" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "paltry sum" functions as a noun phrase, where "paltry" is an adjective modifying the noun "sum". It acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, typically to describe an insufficient or negligible amount. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "paltry sum" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe an amount considered disappointingly small. According to Ludwig AI and the provided examples, it’s commonly found in News & Media contexts, highlighting situations where an expected or needed amount is significantly lacking. While acceptable in general writing, it should be used with caution in highly formal or technical contexts where a more neutral term may be preferable. Alternatives like "insignificant amount" or "a pittance" can be considered to fine-tune the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pittance

Emphasizes the inadequacy and meanness of the amount.

insignificant amount

Emphasizes the lack of importance or consequence of the amount.

meager amount

Highlights the deficiency or inadequacy of the amount.

trifling amount

Stresses the triviality or worthlessness of the amount.

a trifling amount

Highlights the triviality or lack of significance of the amount.

small fortune

Highlights the smallness with a hint of irony.

negligible quantity

Focuses on the near-zero impact of the quantity.

chicken feed

Informal idiom implying the amount is insignificant.

peanuts

Slang term indicating a very small amount of money.

a drop in the bucket

Idiomatic expression suggesting the amount is insignificant compared to a larger need or context.

FAQs

How to use "paltry sum" in a sentence?

You can use "paltry sum" to describe an amount of money or something else that is considered small or insignificant. For example, "The settlement was a "paltry sum" considering the damages caused."

What can I say instead of "paltry sum"?

You can use alternatives like "insignificant amount", "meager amount", or "a pittance" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "paltry sum" or "minuscule sum"?

Both "paltry sum" and "minuscule sum" are correct, but "paltry sum" implies that the amount is not only small but also disappointing or inadequate, while "minuscule sum" simply emphasizes the smallness.

What's the difference between "paltry sum" and "small fortune"?

"Paltry sum" describes a small, often disappointing amount. In contrast, "small fortune" is an oxymoron, implying an amount that is surprisingly large despite being described as small, adding a bit of irony.