a total strength of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a total strength of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the overall strength or capacity of something, often in contexts like engineering, fitness, or team dynamics. Example: "The project requires a total strength of 500 units to ensure its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Three unions, claiming a total strength of 600,000 members, say the government has failed to live up to a May settlement.

The New York Times

They were to take up positions under the aegis of a reinforced contingent of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, to form a peacekeeping corps with a total strength of about 30,000.

The Washington Post

The result was that, according to the official records, only 14,626 men volunteered out of a total strength of 328,244 who served during the three years of the war.

Encyclopedia Britannica

What's going on over there?" There are those at the Herald who like to think that Edna Buchanan knows every policeman and policewoman in the area — even though Dade County has twenty-seven sepolice police forces, with a total strength of more than forty-five hundred officers.

The New Yorker

In all, Drake Force had a total strength of about 720 men.

Wikipedia

It became the largest unit in the RAAF, with a total strength of over 1,200.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The architectural consequence of the use of this geometry by Fuller was the geodesic dome, a frame the total strength of which increases in logarithmic ratio to its size.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The current length of the entire muscle depends upon the number of stretched fibers (similar to the way that the total strength of a contracting muscle depends on the number of recruited fibers contracting).

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The latter number seems too high as it would have represented a significant portion of the total strength of Islamic State.

Huffington Post

At midday on the 17th, Marshal Emmanuel de Grouchy with 33,000 men nearly one-third of Napoleon's total strength of 105,000 began a dilatory pursuit of Blücher that would effectively remove his force from the action to come.

Britannica

If there is a weakness, then it is the total strength of the squad".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a total strength of", ensure the context clearly indicates what constitutes the strength (e.g., personnel, units, force). Clarity avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a total strength of" when referring to abstract qualities like emotional resilience. "Strength" in this phrase typically relates to quantifiable entities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a total strength of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun, indicating the complete numerical or quantitative capacity of something. It describes the aggregate force, personnel, or resources available, as illustrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a total strength of" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to specify the overall capacity or number within a group or entity. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various domains, particularly in news, wiki, encyclopedias and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for describing quantifiable assets, avoiding misapplication to abstract concepts. When writing, clarity about what constitutes the "strength" is crucial for effective communication. Its frequent appearance in diverse sources underscores its importance in providing precise and informative descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sum total of forces amounting to

Highlights the addition of individual forces to reach a final amount.

a combined force of

Highlights the result of joining different elements into a single unit.

the combined personnel count

More specific to counting people, highlighting the tally.

an aggregate power of

Emphasizes combined power or force rather than numerical count.

a consolidated might of

Emphasizes the unified power and influence.

the entire operational manpower

Emphasizes the total number of individuals available for work or action.

an overall capacity of

Focuses on the maximum amount or number that something can contain or produce.

a collective intensity of

Stresses the combined intensity rather than the exact number.

a resultant potency of

Focuses on the effective power derived as a result.

a cumulative effect of

Highlights the result of gradual accumulation or increase.

FAQs

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

You can use "a total strength of" to describe the combined number or capacity of something, such as "The army had "a total strength of 10,000" soldiers".

What phrases are similar to "a total strength of"?

Similar phrases include "a combined force of", "an overall capacity of", or "a collective intensity of", which all indicate an aggregate quantity or power.

Is it appropriate to use "a total strength of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a total strength of" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing quantifiable aspects of organizations, armies, or teams.

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

"A total strength of" introduces the number or capacity, while "the total strength is" states the overall capacity as a fact. For example: "The team had "a total strength of" 20 members" versus "The total strength is 20 members".