a total number of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a total number of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to an entire amount or the sum of something. For example: "There was a total number of 6 pieces of fruit in the basket."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A total number of at least 100 cells was scored.

Nature

This resulted in a total number of 13,105 loci.

Nature

Lawyers for ConnectU settled for a number of shares, not a total number of dollars.

The New York Times

These two variables were multiplied to arrive at a total number of units for weekly consumption.

Nature

For a total number of 25,700 wells in the region we estimated 3,600 compressors.

Nature

The flight was carrying a total number of 227 passengers (including 2 infants), 12 crew members.

The Guardian

A total number of 18 participants were included in the final analysis.

Nature

Belgium has a total number of seven reactors.

University of Chicago

A total number of eight mixtures were cast.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

The system virtualizes a total number of 41 CPUs.

Journal of Cheminformatics

A total number of 4,234 patient visits were identified.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a total number of", ensure that the noun you are referring to is countable. If the noun is uncountable, consider using "a total amount of" instead. For example: "a total number of students" versus "a total amount of water".

Common error

Avoid using "a total number of" with uncountable nouns. Using "a total amount of" or "a total quantity of" is more appropriate for uncountable nouns like water, information, or effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a total number of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically as a quantifier. It introduces a noun phrase and specifies the quantity of countable items. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is both correct and appropriate for use in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

79%

News & Media

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a total number of" is a versatile phrase used to specify the sum of countable items across diverse contexts. It's grammatically sound, as confirmed by Ludwig, and primarily appears in scientific, news, and formal business settings. While interchangeable with alternatives like "the aggregate count of", remember to reserve it for countable nouns. Avoid using with uncountable ones to prevent grammatical errors. By adhering to these guidelines, you can effectively use "a total number of" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the final count of

Emphasizes that the counting process is finished and the amount is definitive.

the sum total of

Emphasizes the completeness of the summation, adding slight intensity.

the grand total of

Adds a sense of scale or impressiveness to the total amount.

the collective sum of

Focuses on the group or collection contributing to the total.

the aggregate count of

Replaces 'total number' with a more formal synonym for count and introduces 'aggregate' for emphasis on collection.

the cumulative amount of

Highlights the accumulation process over time.

the complete tally of

Replaces 'total number' with 'complete tally', indicating a careful and finished count.

the overall quantity of

Substitutes 'number' with 'quantity', suitable when referring to non-countable items.

the full complement of

Suggests having all necessary or expected elements.

the entirety of

Shifts focus to the whole, suggesting that everything is included.

FAQs

How can I use "a total number of" in a sentence?

Use "a total number of" to specify the sum of countable items. For example, "a total number of participants", "a total number of cars", or "a total number of books".

What are some alternatives to "a total number of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "the aggregate count of", "the sum total of", or "the overall quantity of depending on the context".

When should I use "a total number of" versus "a total amount of"?

"A total number of" is used with countable nouns (e.g., people, items), while "a total amount of" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., water, money). For example: "a total number of tickets" versus "a total amount of effort".

Is it redundant to say "the total number of"?

While "the total number of" and "a total number of" are very similar, using "the" implies you are referring to a specific known quantity, while "a" suggests a more general statement about quantity. Therefore, it is usually not redundant.