spend a large sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spend a large sum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing financial expenditures, particularly when referring to significant amounts of money. Example: "To renovate the house, we had to spend a large sum on materials and labor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

There, they were a priority act for Emperor Norton, which had promised to spend a large sum on the group.

The Guardian - Music

The reviews sound damning, but the "he says" in that last review is key in this case, as it implies that because someone had been drinking they couldn't help but spend a large sum of money.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Marston's could have closed the site but instead has spent a large sum getting it going again.

Independent

The writer's children read in the New York times about a Texas tycoon who spends a large sum of money to produce a movie in which his 9 year old daughter plays the piano.

The New Yorker

But if a superPAC spends a large sum in support of a candidate — or a candidate makes a large contribution to her own campaign — that money may not go far if the candidate is otherwise having a difficult time persuading voters of her merits.

The New York Times

By S. J. Perelman The New Yorker, June 30 , 1951P. 20 The writer's children read in the New York times about a Texas tycoon who spends a large sum of money to produce a movie in which his 9 year old daughter plays the piano.

The New Yorker

If that happens, they've spent a large sum and received a very small sum in return.

Forbes

The clients are spending a large sum of money just to trek up our route, mainly so they can go back home and boast about it.

Forbes

Although it is not covered by the Korean national health insurance, Korea spends a large sum of medical expenditures on research, development, and traditional Korean medicine (TKM).

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

While she is typically " delicate" and " tip-toey" with her patients, if the patient has limited financial means and is considering spending a large sum on an unproven, alternative treatment, she will speak more forcefully as there is a " harm issue here".

BMC Medical Ethics

Your budget may mean you get fewer parts done at a time, but if you have other major financial obligations, it may be better to stretch your project out over time rather than spending a large sum of money all at once.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spend a large sum", consider the context. Use it when the amount is substantial relative to the situation. For smaller amounts, alternatives like "spend a fair amount" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "spend a large sum" when the amount is not significantly large or substantial in context. This can lead to exaggeration and misrepresentation of the financial situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spend a large sum" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of expending a significant amount of money. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable and understandable in written English. Examples show it used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spend a large sum" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe significant financial expenditures. Ludwig AI validates its acceptability, and various examples demonstrate its versatility across contexts like news reporting, scientific discussions, and business communications. While versatile, it's best to use this phrase when the amount is substantial relative to the situation and avoid exaggeration. Consider alternatives like "expend a considerable amount" or "invest a significant sum" depending on the specific nuances you want to convey. When using "spend a large sum", ensure that the context supports the implication of a truly significant amount to maintain accuracy and avoid misleading the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expend a considerable amount

Emphasizes the act of paying out a noteworthy amount.

lay out a substantial amount

Focuses on the act of allocating a large sum for a purpose.

invest a significant sum

Highlights that the spending is an investment with potential returns.

allocate considerable funds

Highlights the formal allocation of resources.

shell out a fortune

Implies spending a very large amount, possibly reluctantly.

disburse a significant amount of capital

Emphasizes a formal and official release of funds.

earmark a substantial budget

Focuses on designating a specific amount of funds for a particular purpose in budgeting.

put up a large amount of money

Focuses on providing a substantial sum of money, often for a specific project or deal.

plow a large amount of resources into

Emphasizes the dedication of significant resources to a cause or project.

sink a pile of cash into

Implies investing a large amount of money with a degree of risk.

FAQs

How can I use "spend a large sum" in a sentence?

You can use "spend a large sum" to describe significant financial expenditures, such as "The company had to "spend a large sum" on marketing to launch the new product."

What can I say instead of "spend a large sum"?

You can use alternatives like "expend a considerable amount", "invest a significant sum", or "shell out a fortune" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "spend a large sum" or "spent a large sum"?

Both are correct, but their use depends on the tense. "Spend a large sum" is present tense, while "spent a large sum" is past tense. For example, "They plan to "spend a large sum" next year", versus "They "spent a large sum" last year."

What's the difference between "spend a large sum" and "spend a fortune"?

"Spend a large sum" is a more neutral way to describe a significant expenditure, while "spend a fortune" implies that a very large and perhaps excessive amount was spent.