a grand total of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a granddaughter total of" is not grammatically correct and is not commonly used in written English.
It is unclear what the intended meaning of this phrase would be. Instead, you could use phrases like "a total of," "a grand total of," or "a sum total of." An example sentence using these phrases could be: "There were a total of 10 grandchildren at the family reunion, including a grand total of 5 granddaughters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That made a grand total of $389.25.

The New York Times - Travel

The 2002-03 season had a grand total of seven.

The New York Times

But that's still a grand total of zero wins.

The Guardian - Sport

It got a grand total of 801 signatures.

The Guardian

That adds up to a grand total of £56.7bn.

Independent

A grand total of three out of 43.

Independent

Three years later, a grand total of $117,500 has been handed out.

The New Yorker

In the Champions League, they shipped a grand total of one.

Independent

He has rerouted a grand total of a quarter of a million requests.

The New Yorker

Also as usual, a grand total of a dozen swimmers were here early this afternoon.

The New York Times

Hit the total button, check the receipt: a grand total of eight, gone now.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a grand total of" to emphasize the impressive or significant nature of a sum. It's more impactful than simply stating "a total of."

Common error

Avoid using "a grand total of" when the amount is small or insignificant. It can sound exaggerated or sarcastic if the quantity isn't actually impressive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grand total of" functions as a quantifier or determiner emphasizing the final sum or amount. It modifies a numerical value, highlighting its significance or impressiveness. Ludwig examples show it preceding amounts in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a grand total of" is a commonly used phrase that functions to emphasize the significance of a final sum. As Ludwig's examples show, it's often used in news, business, and scientific contexts to highlight notable amounts. While the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's best reserved for quantities that are genuinely impressive to avoid sounding exaggerated. Consider alternatives like "all in all" or "sum total" for more neutral statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the grand sum

This is a more emphatic variation, highlighting the impressiveness of the total.

total amount

Directly refers to the final quantity or sum.

total figure

Focuses on the numerical representation of the total.

overall total

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the final amount.

sum total

Focuses on the result of addition or accumulation.

aggregate sum

Suggests a collection of items or amounts combined into a single total.

final tally

Suggests a concluding count, especially in contexts like elections or scores.

final count

Implies a process of counting or calculation leading to the final number.

all in all

Emphasizes a summary or conclusion after considering all factors.

complete reckoning

Indicates a thorough calculation or accounting of all elements.

FAQs

How to use "a grand total of" in a sentence?

Use "a grand total of" before a number to emphasize the significance or impressiveness of the total. For example, "The project cost "a grand total of" $1 million."

What can I say instead of "a grand total of"?

You can use alternatives such as "all in all", "sum total", or "overall total" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a total of" or "a grand total of"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but ""a grand total of"" is used to emphasize the significance or impressiveness of the total, while "a total of" is a more neutral statement.

What's the difference between "a grand total of" and "the total"?

"A grand total of" precedes the numerical value and highlights its importance. "The total" refers back to a previously mentioned calculation or amount, acting as a summary reference.