sterling sign

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sterling sign" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely a misunderstanding or mislabeling of the term "pound sign" or "currency symbol for the British pound." Example: "To indicate the price in pounds, please use the sterling sign before the amount."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sterling signed Klobuchar's The Senator Next Door because he found the senator "quite different.

The Guardian - Books

Ms. Sterling signed a two-year lease for $1,700 per month — $100 less than for the studio that smelled of hamburgers.

The New York Times

On August 4th, Vincent Bethell went into a room full of Rembrandts at the National Gallery of London, undressed, and squeezed the shape of a pound-sterling sign on the "Self Portrait at the Age of Sixty-three" from a tube of yellow acrylic paint, in a political protest against society.

The New Yorker

Yet symbols that look like reversed dollar- and British sterling-signs (perhaps because of the inversion that occurs in printmaking, although artists usually compensate) seem to implicate capitalist forces in the broader narrative of industrialized war.

The New York Times

Sterling has signed a five-year contract on a salary of around £200,000 a week.

Independent

Sterling wouldn't sign off on it.

Los Angeles Times

More than five years after the banking crisis sent the UK economy and the pound tumbling in value, there are signs sterling has slowly clawed its way back.

BBC

The Yankees are also negotiating with the left-hander Sterling Hitchcock, who could sign a contract next week.

The New York Times - Sports

That progress has been rewarded with a new long-term contract, which Sterling is expected to sign today, to reflect his rising status.

Independent

In his suit, however, he suggests that the failures were a reflection of the unwillingness of players to sign with Sterling's team.

The New York Times

Sterling is set to sign a contract extension with the Reds which will see him earn around £100,000-a-week.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the currency symbol for the British pound, use the term "pound sign" or "GBP symbol" instead of "sterling sign" to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "sterling sign" when referring to the currency symbol. This term is not standard and can lead to confusion. Always use "pound sign" or "GBP symbol" to denote the British pound's currency symbol.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sterling sign" functions primarily as a noun phrase, intending to denote the symbol representing British currency. However, it's grammatically non-standard and not used in formal writing. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's likely a misunderstanding or mislabeling of the term "pound sign."

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sterling sign" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. The correct term for the British pound currency symbol is "pound sign" or "GBP symbol". As Ludwig AI confirms, "sterling" refers to the currency itself, while "pound sign" is the universally accepted term for its symbol. This conclusion is supported by the absence of examples where "sterling sign" is used correctly in any authoritative source. The term is best avoided in both formal and informal writing to prevent confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pound symbol

Replaces 'sterling' with 'pound', directly referring to the British currency.

currency symbol for the British pound

Specifically identifies the symbol's purpose and origin.

GBP symbol

Uses the official currency code in place of the full name.

British pound currency symbol

Reorders the words to emphasize 'British pound'.

symbol for pound sterling

Rephrases to clarify that the symbol represents 'pound sterling'.

money sign for British currency

Emphasizes the financial context.

monetary symbol of the UK

Uses a more formal and descriptive tone.

financial indicator for pounds

Highlights the role as a financial indicator.

the £ sign

Directly refers to the glyph used.

UK currency mark

Uses 'mark' instead of 'sign' and specifies 'UK'.

FAQs

What is the correct term for the British pound currency symbol?

The correct terms are "pound sign" or "GBP symbol". The term "sterling sign" is not standard and may cause confusion.

Why is "sterling sign" considered incorrect?

"Sterling" refers to the British currency itself, but the symbol representing it is universally known as the "pound sign". Using "sterling sign" is a misnomer.

What can I say instead of "sterling sign"?

Use "pound sign" or "GBP symbol" instead. For example, "To indicate the price in pounds, please use the "pound sign" before the amount."

Which is correct, "sterling sign" or "pound sign"?

"Pound sign" is correct when referring to the currency symbol. "Sterling sign" is not a recognized term for this purpose.