a sum of both

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sum of both" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the total amount or result that combines two different elements or quantities. Example: "The final score was a sum of both teams' performances throughout the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Whole body bioluminescence was measured by Living Image 4.1 software using a sum of both dorsal and ventral views.

EJNMMI Research

Moreover, it should be possible to verify, whether the phenomenon of micelization is governed by the influence of the single ion only, rather than being a sum of both ions' mutual influence.

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

Moreover, since ∑ m = 0 ∞ c m x m is a solution of (6), it can be expressed as a sum of both y 0 ( x ) and a solution of the homogeneous equation (1) with p ( x ) ≡ 1.

Advances in Difference Equations

Figure7 shows the planar average of the donor electrons (a sum of both spin-up and spin-down channels) for the 80-layer cell calculated using the DZP basis set.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Deformation of the corneal apex is a sum of both the corneal and globe deformation.

BioMed Research International

In these, concentration gradient conditions exist, whereby total transport is a sum of both passive transcellular and carrier-mediated processes.

Aquatic Toxicology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Her psychologically jangling, impulsive manner can look awkward until you notice that it is a sum of swift, local accuracies, both descriptive (a peculiarly knobby knee) and expressive (a whiplash contour like a shoreline).

The New Yorker

The amount of physical activity as measured by accelerometer is presented as a sum of total counts across both data collection days and estimates of the time spent in physical activity according to count thresholds.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Note that the end-to-end packet delay corresponds to the aggregated packet delay, i.e., a sum of packet delays experienced over both hops for R-UEs.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The final score of the "Mmovement sequencing domain" is a sum of all test ratings from both hands.

BMC Psychiatry

The number of peptides per protein was calculated as a sum of unique peptides found by both search algorithms.

BMC Plant Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more precise language if the context requires it. "The combined total" or "aggregate value" might be more appropriate in technical writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a sum of both" when "the sum" or "the total" would suffice. The inclusion of "both" can sometimes be redundant if it's already implied that two elements are being considered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sum of both" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It serves to identify or describe a quantity or result that is derived from combining two distinct elements. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a sum of both" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the combined result of two distinct elements. While deemed correct by Ludwig AI, its frequency is classified as uncommon. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related contexts, it serves to quantify combined values or influences. To enhance clarity, it's crucial to explicitly state what the two elements are. Consider alternatives like "the total of both" or "the combination of both" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the combination of both

Replaces "sum" with "combination", focusing on the act of combining.

the aggregate of both

Uses "aggregate" to emphasize the total or combined amount.

the total of both

Simple substitution of "sum" with "total", indicating the complete amount.

the union of both

Implies a merging or joining of two distinct entities.

a blend of the two

Focuses on the merging of two elements into one.

an amalgamation of both

Suggests a more complex combination or merging process.

the cumulative effect of both

Highlights the result of adding two effects together.

the joint total of both

Emphasizes that the total results from a joint consideration.

the combined value of both

Focuses on the numerical or quantitative aspect of combining.

the merging of both

Highlights the act of combining the elements.

FAQs

How can I use "a sum of both" in a sentence?

You can use "a sum of both" to indicate the combined result of two things. For example, "The final grade was "a sum of both" the exam and the project scores".

What phrases are similar to "a sum of both"?

Similar phrases include "the combination of both", "the total of both", or "the aggregate of both". These phrases all convey the idea of combining two distinct elements into a single quantity or result.

Is it always necessary to include "both" after "a sum of"?

No, it's not always necessary. If it's already clear that you're referring to two things, you can simply say "the sum". The inclusion of "both" can sometimes be redundant.

What is the difference between "a sum of both" and "the total of"?

While similar, "a sum of both" explicitly emphasizes that two specific elements are being added together. "The total of" is a more general term that can refer to the combination of any number of elements. In many contexts, they can be used interchangeably.