thousands of pounds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thousands of pounds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a large amount of money, typically in the context of financial discussions or transactions. Example: "The renovation of the old building cost thousands of pounds, far exceeding our initial budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each one weighed thousands of pounds.

The New York Times - Science

My dear, thousands of pounds!

The Guardian - Books

"Jet skis cost thousands of pounds.

The Guardian

"Thousands of pounds would not have bought that one biscuit".

The New York Times - Magazine

"We're not talking millions but hundreds of thousands of pounds".

The New York Times

So, what exactly does hundreds of thousands of pounds buy?

Independent

Thousands of pounds has been raised through crowdfunding.

The Guardian

Prize breeds can sell at auction for thousands of pounds.

Independent

I earned hundreds of thousands of pounds that way.

The Guardian

That alone probably saves us thousands of pounds each year".

The Guardian

This can run into tens of thousands of pounds.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about costs or financial matters, use the phrase "thousands of pounds" to clearly indicate a significant monetary amount, especially in British contexts. Always ensure clarity by specifying the exact amount or range if possible.

Common error

Avoid mixing currency symbols or failing to specify the currency when using the phrase "thousands of pounds". Always clarify that you are referring to British pounds (GBP) to prevent confusion with other currencies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thousands of pounds" functions as a noun phrase that modifies another noun, typically to describe the cost, value, or amount of something. Ludwig examples show it being used to quantify expenses, donations, savings, and even losses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

91%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thousands of pounds" is a commonly used noun phrase to denote significant financial amounts in British currency. As noted by Ludwig, it functions primarily to quantify monetary values in various contexts, particularly within News & Media. While grammatically straightforward, clarity is key; specifying the currency is crucial. Ludwig's analysis and real-world examples highlight its versatility and widespread usage across different domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable sum of money

This alternative uses more formal language and emphasizes the amount of money being noteworthy.

a substantial amount of capital

This phrase is more suitable in business or financial contexts, focusing on the capital aspect.

a significant financial investment

This alternative emphasizes the act of investing a large sum, shifting the focus to the investment itself.

a large monetary value

This alternative emphasizes the value in monetary terms, useful when discussing appraisals or worth.

a fortune in pounds

This uses a more figurative and emphatic expression, suggesting a very large amount of money.

a king's ransom

An idiomatic expression that suggests an extremely large amount of money, often in exchange for something.

a hefty price tag

Focuses on the high cost of something, using the imagery of a price tag.

a costly endeavor

This alternative highlights the expensiveness of an undertaking or project.

an exorbitant amount

Emphasizes that the sum is unreasonably high or excessive.

a profusion of wealth

This suggests an abundant display or accumulation of riches.

FAQs

How can I use "thousands of pounds" in a sentence?

You can use "thousands of pounds" to describe a significant amount of money. For example, "The car cost "thousands of pounds"" or "She donated "thousands of pounds" to charity."

What is a more formal way to say "thousands of pounds"?

For a more formal tone, you might use "a considerable sum of money" or "a substantial financial investment". These alternatives convey the idea of a significant amount without being overly colloquial.

What's the difference between "thousands of pounds" and "millions of pounds"?

"Thousands of pounds" refers to amounts in the range of one thousand to nine hundred ninety-nine thousand pounds. "Millions of pounds", on the other hand, refers to amounts from one million pounds upwards. It is a difference of scale: "millions of pounds" indicates a much larger sum.

Are there other phrases similar to "thousands of pounds" I can use?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a large sum", "a significant amount", or, if being more specific about cost, "a hefty price tag". These are more general phrases, while "thousands of pounds" specifies the currency.