unaccounted sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unaccounted sum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where there is a financial discrepancy or an amount that has not been accounted for in a budget or financial report. Example: "After reviewing the financial statements, we discovered an unaccounted sum that needs to be investigated further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Qaddafi's history of financial dealings indicate that he has "surreptitious accounts and unaccounted sums that are significant enough to give him security even if the world caves in on him," said David Aufhauser, a top Treasury Department official in President George W. Bush's administration.

The New York Times

Yet even with that huge sum unaccounted for, the tax cuts and deficits are already so out of control that budgetary allotments for homeland security are being cut back.

The New York Times

People holding vast sums of unaccounted for cash will find it hard to exchange the money at banks because they will need to explain where they got it, risking tax investigations, experts said.

The New York Times

The $50 billion also pales next to other sums that remain unaccounted for in the Bush era, from the $345 billion in lost tax revenue due to unpoliced offshore corporate tax havens to the far-from-transparent disposition of some $350 billion in Wall Street bailout money.

The New York Times

Standards of public auditing are abysmal; every year huge sums of public money are unaccounted for.Some miscreants do get caught.

The Economist

There must be a scientific formula to work out how much weight each climber or trekker would lose due to the effort, so do a sum and charge heavily for the unaccounted losses".

The Guardian

Another sign, "Top Reasons You Can't Find a Job," summed up Cleveland's troubles: "Lack Confidence"; "GAPS in work history that are unexplained or unaccounted for" (unless "jailed for debt" was a sufficient explanation); "Phone Number Disconnected Often".

The New Yorker

She remains unaccounted for.

The New York Times

"And one is unaccounted for".

The New York Times

The fifth is unaccounted for.

The New York Times

She is still unaccounted for.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unaccounted sum", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the sum is simply missing information or suspected of being misappropriated. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "unaccounted sum" in a way that automatically implies fraud or illegal activity. The sum may be unaccounted for due to simple error or oversight, not necessarily intentional wrongdoing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unaccounted sum" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "unaccounted" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "sum". It denotes a specific quantity of money that lacks proper documentation or explanation, often within a financial context. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is usable and correct in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unaccounted sum" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that refers to a quantity of money lacking proper explanation or documentation. While not overly common, it appears in neutral and professional contexts, often within news reports and academic analyses related to finance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and understanding its nuances can help writers avoid unintended implications of malfeasance. Related phrases include "missing amount" and "unexplained funds", offering alternative ways to express the same concept. When using "unaccounted sum", it's important to indicate whether the sum is just missing information or whether malfeasance is suspected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

missing amount

Focuses on the absence of the sum from records.

unexplained funds

Highlights the lack of a clear reason for the sum's existence or use.

unreconciled balance

Emphasizes the discrepancy between expected and actual amounts.

discrepancy in funds

Points out the difference or inconsistency in the financial records.

untracked money

Indicates the sum's movement or usage was not properly documented.

lost funds

Suggests the sum has been misplaced or is no longer accessible.

unattributed money

Emphasizes the lack of a known source or purpose for the sum.

unidentified revenue

Specifically refers to income that cannot be traced to its origin.

unverified funds

Highlights the lack of confirmation or validation for the sum's existence.

unjustified expenditure

Focuses on spending that lacks a legitimate or approved reason.

FAQs

How to use "unaccounted sum" in a sentence?

You can use "unaccounted sum" to describe a financial amount that is missing or has no clear explanation. For instance, "The audit revealed an "unaccounted sum" of $10,000 in the department's budget."

What can I say instead of "unaccounted sum"?

You can use alternatives like "missing amount", "unexplained funds", or "unreconciled balance" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "unaccounted sum" and "unexplained funds"?

"Unaccounted sum" generally implies a lack of record-keeping or missing information, while "unexplained funds" suggests the existence of the sum is known, but its origin or purpose is unclear.

Is it always negative to have an "unaccounted sum"?

While often associated with negative implications like financial mismanagement or fraud, an "unaccounted sum" might simply be due to an error in accounting or a temporary discrepancy that requires further investigation. It's not inherently negative, but it always warrants scrutiny.