raw dollars

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "raw dollars" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the actual amount of money without any adjustments for inflation, taxes, or other factors. Example: "The project's budget was initially set at 100,000 raw dollars, but additional costs have since arisen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Trump is using raw dollars here, but that's misleading.

The Washington Post

"Some wanted the truck for what the truck could bring to them: just raw dollars.

The New York Times

It actually declines in raw dollars after the switch in funding is implemented.

The Washington Post

Television may be "the most expensive in raw dollars," he added, but it is also "the least expensive in cost efficiency".

The New York Times

In raw dollars, commuters on the Long Island and Metro-North railroads stand to pay the steepest fare increases, experts said yesterday.

The New York Times

The effect is mirrored on the other side of the income distribution, with the richest households receiving the biggest tax cuts both in raw dollars and as a share of their income.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Before Wednesday, banks had self-reported their progress in raw dollar terms.

The New York Times

In raw dollar figures, cuts totaled $594 million in student assistance and $338 million in Pell grants.

The Washington Post

The largest savings, in raw dollar terms, go to the wealthiest Americans.

The New York Times

As of Dec. 31, they had provided $38.7 billion in relief in raw dollar terms, the report said.

The New York Times

In raw dollar amounts, that's more than three times what I'd get from a mainstream publisher for each paperback sale.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing financial figures across different time periods, specify whether you are using "raw dollars" or inflation-adjusted values to avoid misleading interpretations.

Common error

Avoid directly comparing "raw dollars" from different years without acknowledging inflation. State clearly that you're using unadjusted figures to prevent misrepresenting economic growth or decline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raw dollars" functions as a noun phrase that specifies the actual, unadjusted amount of money. It is often used in financial and economic contexts to differentiate between nominal and real values. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "raw dollars" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe monetary values without adjustments for inflation, taxes, or other factors. As Ludwig AI points out, it's usable in written English and serves to provide clarity in financial discussions. It appears most frequently in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific articles. When using "raw dollars", it's crucial to clarify that the figures are unadjusted, especially when comparing amounts across different time periods, to avoid any misunderstanding. Related phrases include "nominal dollars" and "actual dollars", which share a similar meaning. Remembering to specify whether you're using "raw dollars" or adjusted values can greatly improve the clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Nominal dollars

Refers to the current value of money, without adjusting for inflation; very similar in meaning.

Actual dollars

Emphasizes the real, existing amount of money, directly comparable to "raw dollars".

Gross dollars

Focuses on the total amount before any deductions, akin to the unadjusted sense of "raw dollars".

Unadjusted dollars

Highlights the lack of modifications to the dollar amount, similar to "raw dollars".

Face value

Indicates the stated or apparent value, much like the literal sense of "raw dollars".

Absolute dollars

Stresses the pure, unqualified monetary amount, comparable to "raw dollars".

Real dollars

While often adjusted for inflation, can sometimes refer to the actual dollars received before other adjustments, creating a partial overlap in meaning.

Currency amount

A general term for a sum of money, lacking the specific emphasis on being unadjusted that "raw dollars" carries.

Monetary value

Refers to the value of something in money but is more general than the specific, unadjusted sense of "raw dollars".

Cash value

Implies the value readily available in cash, less about adjustments and more about accessibility.

FAQs

How does one use "raw dollars" in a sentence?

You can use "raw dollars" to specify amounts without adjustments, such as in the sentence, "The project's budget was initially set at 100,000 "raw dollars", but additional costs have since arisen."

What's the difference between "raw dollars" and "nominal dollars"?

"Raw dollars" and "nominal dollars" are often used interchangeably to refer to the current value of money, without adjusting for inflation. The distinction is subtle, but both emphasize the unadjusted amount.

What can I say instead of "raw dollars"?

Alternatives to "raw dollars" include "actual dollars", "unadjusted dollars", or "gross dollars", depending on the context.

When is it important to specify that I'm using "raw dollars"?

It's crucial to specify you're using "raw dollars" when discussing financial data across different time periods, especially if inflation or other adjustments could significantly alter the perceived value. This ensures clarity and avoids misleading comparisons.