prohibitive sum

USAGE SUMMARY

"prohibitive sum" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe an amount of money that is too high for most people to afford. For example: "The cost of the repairs was a prohibitive sum, making it impossible for us to proceed." Alternative expressions include "exorbitant amount" and "astronomical figure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Mr. Iskandar said a medium-size three-story swiftlet house can cost about $16,000 — a prohibitive sum for many.

The New York Times

When they looked into buying insurance on their own before the accident, they found that it would cost $1,200 a month — a prohibitive sum given their income.

The New York Times

Candidates must pay a $500 election fee, a prohibitive sum in a country where the average annual income is $459, he said.

The New York Times

Second, several members said Kyle and Slater had been reluctant to provide his medical records because, they claimed, Memorial hospital had asked for a prohibitive sum to release them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Second, several members said Kyle and Slater had been reluctant to provide his medical records because, they claimed, Memorial hospital had asked for a prohibitive sum to release them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If he has an issue shelling out $12.95 for my green curry, it's better that the necessity of paying such a prohibitive sum prevent him from asking me out again.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Judges now decide whether the media can observe hearings on a case-by-case basis, often requiring news organisations to spend prohibitive sums of money on barristers and legal experts to argue their case for access.

The Guardian

The sum seemed prohibitive to my aunt, who lives on Social Security and a small pension.

The New York Times - Health

In practice exact calculation of this sum is prohibitive, hence one relies on approximating MCMC methods [ 8- 10].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

A digital projector can cost around $100,000, a sum that has proved prohibitive to many exhibitors.

The New York Times

However, as M becomes large, computation of the multiple infinite sum may become too prohibitive to implement.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prohibitive sum" when you want to emphasize that a cost is so high it prevents people from doing something.

Common error

Avoid using "prohibitive sum" to simply describe something expensive. This phrase is most effective when the cost actively prevents action or participation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prohibitive sum" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "sum". It describes the sum as being so high as to be a barrier. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used to describe costs that prevent action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prohibitive sum" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to describe a cost that is so high it prevents people from doing something. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, with examples primarily found in News & Media sources. The phrase functions as an adjectival phrase, emphasizing the restrictive nature of the cost. While alternatives such as "unaffordable amount" or "exorbitant price" exist, "prohibitive sum" specifically highlights the barring effect of the cost.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unaffordable amount

This alternative directly emphasizes the inability to afford the sum.

excessive cost

Focuses on the unreasonable nature of the expense.

exorbitant price

Highlights the inflated nature of the price.

unreasonable expense

Emphasizes the lack of justification for the cost.

astronomical figure

Emphasizes the extremely large quantity involved.

sky-high price tag

A more informal way to describe a very high price.

an amount beyond reach

Focuses on the inaccessibility of the sum due to its size.

an insurmountable expense

Highlights the difficulty in overcoming the financial barrier.

a cost that is restrictive

Emphasizes the limiting nature of the cost.

a price that deters

Focuses on the discouraging effect of the price.

FAQs

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

You can use "prohibitive sum" to describe an amount of money that is so high that it prevents someone from doing something. For example, "The cost of the treatment was a "prohibitive sum" for the average family".

What phrases are similar to "prohibitive sum"?

Similar phrases include "unaffordable amount", "excessive cost", or "exorbitant price". These alternatives express the idea of a cost being too high.

Is it always negative to describe something as a "prohibitive sum"?

Yes, describing something as a "prohibitive sum" generally carries a negative connotation, implying that the cost is an obstacle or barrier.

What makes a "prohibitive sum" different from just an "expensive cost"?

A "prohibitive sum" implies that the cost is so high that it prevents action or participation, whereas an "expensive cost" simply means that something is pricey without necessarily blocking access.