unspecified sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unspecified sum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an amount of money or quantity that has not been clearly defined or stated. Example: "The contract stipulates that the payment will be made in an unspecified sum at a later date."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Following the meeting, Swindon said that the three have been fined an unspecified sum.

The Guardian - Sport

Ultimately, Goldman won out with a bid of an unspecified sum.

The New York Times

She is throwing the wedding lunch; Prince Charles is giving the dinner dance; the Middletons are contributing an unspecified sum.

The New Yorker

A childless widow, she left her fortune to a charitable foundation and an unspecified sum for the care of her mother-in-law and father-in-law.

The New York Times

A Greek industrialist who was kidnapped two weeks ago was freed unharmed after his family paid an unspecified sum in ransom.

The New York Times

In 2005 Peter Jackson sued Warner Brothers offshoot New Line for an unspecified sum in lost profits from fantasy trilogy The Lord of the Rings.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

All received apologies and unspecified sums in compensation.

The Guardian

Americans in Beirut are complaining that they have been asked to sign forms agreeing in advance to pay unspecified sums to cover the cost of their evacuation.

The Guardian

The Foreign Office on Saturday night would confirm only that it had awarded £1m this year to the project, stating that unspecified sums from other schemes would supplement the fund.

The Guardian

Last year the terms of the deals, not announced by IBM but disclosed in the buyers' filings with the SEC, included $90 million for a factory in Japan and unspecified sums for a second one there, a 100-person consulting business and a unit that develops global-positioning systems.

Forbes

Last year the terms of the deals, unannounced by IBMbut in some cases disclosed in the buyers' SEC filings, included $90 million for a factory in Japan and unspecified sums for a second plant in Japan, a 100-person consulting business and a unit that develops global-positioning systems.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unspecified sum" when you know an amount exists but revealing the exact figure is either impossible or strategically undesirable. This is common in legal settlements, business acquisitions, or charitable donations where privacy is preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "unspecified sum" repeatedly in the same document, as it can weaken the writing and frustrate the reader. If possible, provide context or a range to give the reader a better sense of scale.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unspecified sum" primarily functions as a noun phrase acting as an object or complement in a sentence. It indicates an amount of money or assets where the precise value is not stated. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently found across various sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Formal & Business

18%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unspecified sum" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to an unknown or undisclosed amount of money, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's frequently used in contexts such as news reports, business deals, and legal settlements, as displayed in Ludwig's examples. While the phrase is generally neutral, leaning towards professional register, care should be taken to avoid overuse and maintain clarity in writing. Alternatives like "undisclosed amount" and "indeterminate sum" can provide variety and nuance. When using "unspecified sum", ensure that it accurately reflects the situation—that the amount is genuinely unknown or intentionally withheld.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Undisclosed amount

Emphasizes the lack of disclosure about the sum's value.

Unknown quantity

Broader term referring to an uncertain amount or number, not strictly monetary.

Indeterminate sum

Highlights the lack of fixed or defined value for the sum.

Unstated amount

Focuses on the omission of the sum's value in a statement.

Confidential figure

Suggests the sum is deliberately kept secret or private.

Unconfirmed total

Indicates the sum is yet to be verified or officially declared.

Unspecified quantity

Broader, less specific term that works when the 'sum' is not necessarily monetary.

A certain amount

More vague and less formal way to indicate an unspecified sum.

Some amount

A very general way of expressing an unquantified amount.

Nominal fee

Implies the sum is small and symbolic, rather than precisely quantified.

FAQs

How can I use "unspecified sum" in a sentence?

You can use "unspecified sum" to refer to an amount of money that hasn't been stated, such as in the sentence: "The company agreed to pay an "unspecified sum" to settle the lawsuit".

What is a more formal alternative to "unspecified sum"?

A more formal alternative is "undisclosed amount". It carries a similar meaning but may be more appropriate in official documents or business contexts.

Is it ever appropriate to use "unspecified sum" if I know the exact amount?

No, it is misleading to use "unspecified sum" if you are aware of the exact figure. The phrase indicates a lack of specific knowledge or a deliberate choice not to reveal the amount. If you know the amount, state it directly.

What's the difference between "unspecified sum" and "nominal fee"?

"Unspecified sum" simply means the amount is not specified. "Nominal fee", on the other hand, implies that the amount is small or symbolic, even if the exact figure isn't given.