It sums up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "It sums up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something encapsulates or summarizes the main points or essence of a topic or discussion. Example: "In conclusion, the report highlights the key findings, and it sums up the overall impact of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It sums up the man.

Independent

"It sums up the game we play.

The Guardian - Sport

It sums up Formula One.

The Guardian - Sport

"It sums up the bloke.

The Guardian - Sport

It sums up my mood perfectly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It sums up our season, that.

The Guardian - Sport

It sums up everything about Senna.

The Guardian - Film

It sums up Gove: "high-handed, incompetent and unfair".

The Guardian

It sums up just how huge this achievement is.

The Guardian - Sport

It sums up everything that is wrong with Westminster politics".

The Guardian

It sums up the effort as Bush-Nader '04.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context is clear before using "it sums up"; the reader should understand what 'it' refers to.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "it sums up" as it can become repetitive and unclear. Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it sums up" functions as a phrasal verb used to indicate that something serves as a concise or comprehensive representation of something else. Ludwig provides numerous examples where the phrase effectively encapsulates a situation, idea, or feeling.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it sums up" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate that something succinctly represents or encapsulates a larger concept or situation. Ludwig AI highlights its widespread use in various contexts, particularly in news and media, where it effectively frames conclusions and key takeaways. While the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted, as confirmed by Ludwig, it's important to ensure clarity and avoid overuse. Alternatives like "it encapsulates" or "it epitomizes" can be used for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It encapsulates

Focuses on capturing the essence or key aspects.

It epitomizes

Implies being a perfect example of something.

It represents

Highlights the act of standing for or symbolizing something.

It embodies

Suggests giving a tangible form to an idea or quality.

It captures the essence of

Emphasizes grasping the fundamental nature of something.

It is a summation of

Formal way to indicate a conclusive summary.

It is the epitome of

Highlights the role as a perfect example.

It boils down to

Suggests reducing something to its most basic elements.

It gives a concise overview

Highlights brevity and completeness.

It provides a summary of

Directly states the action of summarizing.

FAQs

How can I use "it sums up" in a sentence?

You can use "it sums up" to indicate that something is a perfect representation or summary of a larger concept or situation. For example, "The final scene of the movie perfectly "sums up" the entire theme".

What's a more formal alternative to "it sums up"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "it encapsulates" or "it epitomizes", which convey a similar meaning but with a more sophisticated vocabulary.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it sums up"?

Yes, "it sums up" is grammatically correct. The subject "it" agrees with the third-person singular verb "sums", followed by the preposition "up" which completes the phrasal verb.

What's the difference between "it sums up" and "it summarizes"?

"It sums up" often implies a more holistic or complete representation, capturing the essence of something, whereas "it summarizes" focuses on providing a condensed version of the key points.