amounting to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'amounting to' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a total amount or quantity of something. For example, "We raised a total of $10,000, amounting to enough money to build the community center."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Offer tax cuts amounting to "$11tn, $12tn".

The Guardian

Record bonuses, amounting to £9bn, in the City.

The Guardian - Arts

He has monthly bills amounting to thousands of dollars.

The Economist

Mr. Djanogly repaid claims ruled improper, amounting to $38,750.

The New York Times

Korean Air was accused of evading taxes amounting to $53m.

The Economist

The scheme has had grants amounting to £5,000.

The Guardian

This would mean damage amounting to about $4.5 billion.

The New York Times

China's lead representative denounced them as amounting to "disguised independence".

The Economist

The company reported an order backlog amounting to $315 billion.

The New York Times

This is a passion amounting to near genius for kitsch.

The New York Times - Books

At least the first two aims are amounting to something.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "amounting to", ensure that the subject clearly leads to the stated amount. For example, "The total expenses for the project, amounting to $5,000, were higher than anticipated."

Common error

Avoid using "amounting to" when the resulting value is vague or speculative. Instead of saying "His efforts were amounting to something significant", use a stronger verb or clarify the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "amounting to" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. It connects a preceding noun or clause to a specific quantity, value, or result. As evidenced by Ludwig, it introduces the total or equivalent of something. For example, 'The bonuses were amounting to 9 billion' indicates the final value of the bonuses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "amounting to" is a prepositional phrase used to specify a total sum or equivalent value. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains, including science, news media, and formal business settings. When writing, use "amounting to" to ensure clear and precise quantification of impacts, costs, or extents. Be cautious of using it with imprecise figures and opt for stronger verbs when exact quantification is not available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equivalent to

Indicates a direct equivalence or correspondence, often used for precise measurements or values.

totaling

Focuses on the process of adding up to reach a specific sum or amount.

equaling

Implies a mathematical equality or a precise correspondence in quantity or value.

constituting

Highlights the components that form a whole, often used when defining a percentage or portion.

coming to

Suggests an accumulation or calculation that leads to a final amount or result.

representing

Indicates that something stands for a specific quantity or value.

reaching

Emphasizes the attainment of a particular level or quantity after a process of increase or accumulation.

tallying up to

Implies a careful counting or calculation process that results in a total amount.

adding up to

Focuses on the cumulative effect of multiple items or values resulting in a final amount.

accounting for

Highlights a proportion or reason that makes up a particular share of the totality or amount.

FAQs

How can I use "amounting to" in a sentence?

Use "amounting to" to indicate a total sum or equivalent value. For example, "The damages from the fire are estimated, amounting to $1 million."

What are some alternatives to "amounting to"?

You can use alternatives like "equivalent to", "totaling", or "equaling" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "amounting to be" instead of "amounting to"?

No, it is not correct. The phrase "amounting to" already implies a result or equivalence, so adding "be" is redundant. Use "amounting to" directly, such as "The repairs are amounting to a significant cost".

What's the difference between "amounting to" and "accounting for"?

"Amounting to" specifies a total or equivalent sum, while "accounting for" explains what constitutes a particular share of the total. For instance, "The sales, amounting to $100,000, with international sales accounting for 60%."