significant sums

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant sums" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to large amounts of money or resources, often in a financial or economic context. Example: "The company invested significant sums in research and development to innovate its product line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Even a low rate could raise significant sums: The I.M.F.

The New York Times

Further significant sums have come from private hands.

The Economist

Darling's tax on bankers' bonuses may not in itself raise significant sums.

The Guardian

Reversing this costly and inefficient market bureaucracy alone will save significant sums.

The Guardian

So is his campaign pledge to invest significant sums of money in post-prison rehabilitation programs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Despite this, publishers invest significant sums in marketing for books and their authors.

The Guardian

Halper also told me that he sold two other balls for significant sums.

The New York Times - Sports

In medical schools, dozens of faculty members may be earning significant sums as corporate consultants.

The New York Times - Science

There are also questions about significant sums missing from the national treasury.

The New York Times

Without significant sums of money for rehabilitation, they will be lost.

The New York Times

They are also spending significant sums in financial support to their grandchildren, according to a poll.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significant sums", ensure the context clearly establishes what makes the amount significant. Provide specific figures or reference points to give the reader a clearer understanding of the magnitude involved.

Common error

Avoid using "significant sums" without providing context for comparison. For example, instead of saying "The project required significant sums", specify "The project required significant sums, exceeding the initial budget by 30%".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant sums" functions primarily as a quantifier, modifying an implied or stated noun. It is typically used to emphasize the magnitude of monetary amounts in various contexts. The Ludwig AI confirms this usage across many examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significant sums" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe large, important amounts of money. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, business, and academic writing. While the phrase is generally neutral to formal in tone, providing clear context is essential to convey the magnitude accurately. Alternatives like "substantial amounts" and "considerable funds" can be used to add variety while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial amounts

Replaces "significant sums" with a synonym for 'significant' and a plural noun, maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

considerable funds

Substitutes both adjectives and nouns but keeps financial implication similar.

large quantities of money

Uses a more verbose but straightforward description of a large monetary value.

sizeable financial resources

Replaces "sums" with a broader term for financial resources, implying availability and impact.

notable financial outlay

Shifts focus to expenditure or investment using formal language.

meaningful monetary investment

Highlights the purpose and impact of financial expenditure.

substantial capital

Focuses on the financial resources specifically referring to "capital" that is available.

a fortune

More informal and emphatic way to describe a large sum of money.

a pretty penny

An idiomatic and less formal way to express a substantial monetary value.

a good deal of money

Describes money in term of value, not necessarily in terms of resources.

FAQs

How can I use "significant sums" in a sentence?

You can use "significant sums" to describe large amounts of money or resources involved in a particular activity. For example, "The company invested "significant sums" in research and development.".

What are some alternatives to "significant sums"?

Alternatives to "significant sums" include phrases like "substantial amounts", "considerable funds", or "large quantities of money", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "significant sums" in formal writing?

Yes, "significant sums" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in business, academic, and journalistic contexts. It conveys the idea of a large amount in a professional manner.

What does "significant sums" imply?

"Significant sums" implies that the amount of money being discussed is not only large but also important or impactful in some way, whether economically, socially, or otherwise.