ability to sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to sum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's capacity or skill to perform addition or to aggregate values. Example: "Her ability to sum large numbers quickly impressed everyone during the math competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Only husbands and wives rivaled the computer's ability to sum up broad psychological traits.

The Guardian - Tech

In that, the play has the ability to sum up the restless spirit of Coward's era.

Independent

"The Gospel of Anarchy," too, showcases Taylor's ability to sum up a milieu with a single image.

The New York Times - Books

But naturally much of his narrative focuses on individuals, and he demonstrates an unusual ability to sum them up in a few well-chosen sentences.

The New York Times - Books

It doesn't happen often these days, but pop singles have occasionally shown a startling ability to sum up the mood of their times.

The Guardian

The Boeing cockpit always enables the pilot to override the airplane's computers, taking advantage of a human being's unique ability to sum up a new situation quickly and improvise, something computers are not good at.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

To sum up, the ability to act as biomimetic spacer and scaffold for composite lipid membranes with nonintrusive character on ion channel activity make S-layer proteins attractive for biosensor applications, especially those that enhance the stability of BLMs beyond the use of tethers or polymer supports (Bayley & Cremer, 2001; Sugawara & Hirano, 2005).

FEMS Microbiology Reviews

To sum up, the M. falcata PI502449 has the strongest ability to resist drought.

BMC Genomics

So, either the FCC doesn't get its own plan, or Congress is sluggish in its ability to do sums.

TechCrunch

We mainly focussed on predictions that assume a single base composition that we estimated numerically by checking every possible base composition (with granularity 0.001) as to its ability to minimize the sum of the absolute values of the differences between predicted and observed occurrences.

Plosone

At lesser moments, such as Britain's grieving for Princess Diana, he has shown a rare ability to soak in and sum up the popular mood.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing data analysis or mathematical skills, using "ability to sum" provides a clear and concise way to describe the capacity to add values together. Ensure that the context clarifies whether you mean literal addition or a more abstract form of aggregation.

Common error

Avoid using "ability to sum" when you actually mean the capacity to summarize or provide a concise overview. While summing can be a component of summarization, the terms are not interchangeable. If you mean the latter, use phrases like "ability to summarize" or "skill in synthesizing information".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to sum" functions as a noun phrase that describes a capability or skill. Based on the examples, its primary grammatical function is to denote someone's or something's competence in performing addition or aggregation. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ability to sum" is a grammatically correct noun phrase denoting the capacity to perform addition or aggregation. Ludwig AI analysis, based on a diverse set of examples, finds that while not extremely common, it's a usable expression. It appears most frequently in news and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure clarity regarding whether you mean literal mathematical addition or a more abstract sense of combining elements. Alternatives like "capacity for summation" or "skill in totaling" can provide nuanced emphasis depending on the specific intent. Be aware of possible confusion with the concept of summarization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity for summation

Replaces "ability" with "capacity" and "sum" with its noun form, "summation", emphasizing the potential for performing the action.

skill in totaling

Substitutes "ability" with "skill" and "sum" with "totaling", highlighting proficiency in arriving at a total.

aptitude for addition

Uses "aptitude" instead of "ability" and focuses specifically on the mathematical operation of "addition".

capability to aggregate

Replaces "sum" with "aggregate", suggesting a broader ability to combine different elements.

competence in calculating sums

Emphasizes demonstrated competence, specifying that it is with regard to "calculating sums".

proficiency in summing up

Shifts the meaning towards summarizing rather than mathematical addition.

talent for compiling totals

Emphasizes a natural talent rather than a learned skill, focusing on the result of "compiling totals".

knack for reckoning

Uses the word "knack" to emphasize an innate ability to perform quick estimations.

facility with arithmetic

Highlights ease and fluency in performing arithmetic calculations.

power of enumeration

Replaces "ability" with "power" and "sum" with enumeration, it's a less common usage but it can fit some contexts.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "ability to sum" in a sentence?

You can replace "ability to sum" with alternatives like "capacity for summation", "skill in totaling", or "aptitude for addition" depending on the specific context.

When is it more appropriate to use "ability to summarize" instead of "ability to sum"?

"Ability to sum" refers to the capacity to add values or quantities. Use "ability to summarize" when referring to the skill of providing a concise overview of information. For example, "ability to sum" is suitable for describing a spreadsheet function, while "ability to summarize" is best for describing comprehension skills.

Is "ability to sum" a formal or informal expression?

"Ability to sum" is a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

Can "ability to sum" be used in non-mathematical contexts?

While primarily associated with mathematical or quantitative contexts, "ability to sum" can metaphorically extend to describing the capability to accumulate or aggregate non-numerical elements. However, ensure the context makes the intended meaning clear to avoid confusion.