amount to a sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "amount to a sum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the total or final value of something, often in a financial or mathematical context. Example: "The expenses for the project will amount to a sum that exceeds our initial budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Encyclopedias

Science

TV & Radio

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Not from a place of resentment or a Scrooge-like dislike of charity, but because the refusal to examine the plausibility of their claims risks a disservice to the millions whose charitable donations amount to a sum that is far greater than what US tech billionaires contribute.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Relief on contributions, national insurance, tax-exempt lump sums and others amounts to a phenomenal £48.4bn a year.

The Guardian - Opinion

The power of that backing to alter the outcome of a race remains uncertain: in its first test, an Arizona Democratic congressional primary in August, Mayday bought ads supporting Ruben Gallego, an ex-Marine with a Harvard degree, amounting to a hundred and fifty thousand dollars a sum equivalent to nearly a third of Gallego's total campaign costs.

The New Yorker

On a $30,000 loan, that amounts to a 10percentt charge — a huge sum.

The New York Times

So a full-timer can vote away his part-time colleague's wages for what amounts to a lump sum he was already due to receive anyway.

The Guardian - Opinion

This sum amounts to a tip to Williams's manicurist, or maybe a little present to the attendant who parks her car at the Open.

The New York Times - Sports

Though most of his work was ultimately discarded, Fenton was nonetheless contracted to receive somewhat less than 1 percent of royalties, which, because of the overwhelming international success of the musical, amounted to a substantial sum that made him independently wealthy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After his brother's death, he went to his house and found a pile of unpaid bills that amounted to a low five-figure sum; a sum that Niven could have cleared with one cheque.

Independent

And, of course, Tamsin Greig and Stephen Mangan, making a welcomely dry return to Episodes; though it has to be said that this show still amounts to a fierce amount less than the sum of its parts.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The offbeat humour didn't get a universal thumbs-up, and some critics felt that the whole thing amounted to a bit less than the sum of its parts.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The power of that backing to alter the outcome of a race remains uncertain: in its first test, an Arizona Democratic congressional primary in August, Mayday bought ads supporting Ruben Gallego, an ex-Marine with a Harvard degree, amounting to a hundred and fifty thousand dollars — a sum equivalent to nearly a third of Gallego's total campaign costs.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "amount to a sum", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are referring to a total or final value, especially in financial or mathematical contexts. It's effective when emphasizing the cumulative result of several items.

Common error

Avoid using "amount to a sum" in overly casual or conversational settings. Simpler alternatives like "totals" or "adds up to" are often more appropriate for everyday language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "amount to a sum" functions as a predicate within a sentence, indicating that a particular quantity or collection of items results in or equals a specific total. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig show the phrase being used in contexts where financial or numerical values are being described.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Opinion

12%

Sports

12%

TV & Radio

12%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "amount to a sum" is grammatically correct and functions to describe a total or resulting value. While Ludwig confirms it's usable in written English, it is relatively rare and tends to appear in neutral and professional contexts such as news reports, encyclopedias and financial discussions. When more emphasis on aggregation is needed the expression is useful, but in most cases, you can use simpler alternatives such as "totals" or "adds up to". The phrase is best employed when clarity and precision are paramount, particularly in financial or numerical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

total a certain amount

Replaces "sum" with "amount" for emphasis on the final value.

come to a total of

Uses "come to a total" which is less formal and more conversational.

equate to a specific figure

Emphasizes equivalence and uses "figure" instead of "sum".

add up to a given quantity

Focuses on the process of addition resulting in a specific amount.

represent a particular value

Highlights the representation of value, moving slightly away from just totaling.

constitute a certain aggregate

More formal and emphasizes the components forming the total.

approximate a final calculation

Introduces the concept of approximation and uses "calculation" in place of "sum".

aggregate to a set amount

Similar to "constitute", but focuses on the aggregation process.

result in a grand total

Emphasizes the finality and size of the total.

culminate in an overall figure

Highlights the end result and uses "overall figure".

FAQs

How can I use "amount to a sum" in a sentence?

Use "amount to a sum" when you want to express that several items or contributions add up to a final total or value. For example, "The expenses for the project will amount to a sum that exceeds our initial budget."

What are some alternatives to saying "amount to a sum"?

You can use alternatives like "total a certain amount", "come to a total of", or "equate to a specific figure" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "amount to a sum"?

While "amount" and "sum" both relate to a total, the phrase "amount to a sum" isn't strictly redundant if you want to emphasize the final calculation or accumulation. However, in many cases, using just "amounts to" is sufficient and clearer.

What's the difference between "amount to a sum" and "add up to"?

"Add up to" focuses on the process of combining individual items to reach a total, whereas "amount to a sum" emphasizes the resulting total value. "Add up to" is also generally more informal.