a total of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a total of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a sum or group of items, often when the exact number is not known. For example: "A total of seven people were in attendance at the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A total of 13 candidates are running.

The New York Times

Share a total of five items.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A total of 550 units are planned.

The New York Times

A total of fourteen people were wounded.

Independent

It is a total of 15.5m people.

Independent

There have been a total of 23.

The New York Times - Arts

A total of £120.

The Guardian - Opinion

A total of ?

Science Magazine

A total of 27 innings.

BBC

A total of 51 people were caught.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Each served a total of 18 months.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a total of", ensure that the number is accurate and verifiable. Misleading figures can undermine credibility.

Common error

Avoid using redundant phrases like "the total sum of", as "total" already implies summation. Use "a total of" to keep your writing concise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a total of" functions as a determiner phrase. It specifies quantity or sum, introducing a numerical value. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its use before numerical values across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a total of" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to specify quantities across various contexts. Ludwig AI validates its frequent usage in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. When writing, be mindful of redundancy, and ensure accuracy in the numerical values presented. Alternative expressions like "in total" or "altogether" can add variety to your writing while conveying the same quantitative meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in total

Places the emphasis on the combined quantity or amount.

altogether

Focuses on the final sum of multiple elements, similar to a concluding addition.

totalling

Focuses on the calculation to reach a specific number.

amounting to

Indicates the final tally or worth of something.

summing up to

Emphasizes the process of addition that results in a particular number.

equalling

Used when the total matches or balances out to a certain amount.

numbering

Highlights the counting aspect and the resulting figure.

making up

Stresses that the individual elements form a larger group.

constituting

Used when items combine to make up a whole, often used in a more formal context.

representing

Highlights the way a number stands for or embodies a quantity.

FAQs

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

Use "a total of" to indicate a specific quantity or number. For example, "A total of 20 students participated in the survey."

What are some alternatives to "a total of"?

You can use phrases such as "in total", "altogether", or "amounting to" as alternatives to "a total of", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the total of" instead of "a total of"?

While "the total of" can be used, it often refers to the sum of something previously mentioned. "A total of" is generally used when introducing a new quantity.

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

"A total of" is often used before stating a number, while ""in total"" usually comes after or at the end of a sentence. For example, "A total of 50 people attended" versus "50 people attended "in total"".