an sum of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an sum of" is not correct in written English.
The correct form should be "a sum of" as "sum" begins with a consonant sound. Example: "The total cost is a sum of all the expenses incurred during the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our valuation is based on a sum-of-the-parts.

The Guardian - Business

Our data permitted a sum-of-all-the-parts analysis.

Journal of Molecular Biology

GM is a sum-of-its-parts story.

Forbes

Results were compared by a sum-of-squares F test.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy

He was owed, by somebody: an apology, a sum of money, carte blanche.

The New Yorker

The agreement came three months after an accord on a sum of $5 billion was reached.

The New York Times

In my case, a picture is a sum of destructions.

The New Yorker

"With housing benefit there is a guarantee of a sum of money coming through.

The Guardian

I rent a garage for a sum of money that makes my eyeballs bleed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You're the end of a precise equation, a sum of the value of other parts.

Vice

A movie is a sum of compromises until you grow into your own independence.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "a sum of" instead of "an sum of". The article 'a' is appropriate before words beginning with a consonant sound.

Common error

Avoid using "an" before words that start with a consonant sound. The correct usage is "a sum of", not "an sum of". Remember, "an" is generally used before vowel sounds.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an sum of" is grammatically incorrect. The function of the corrected phrase, "a sum of", is to denote a total or aggregate resulting from the addition of two or more numbers or items. Ludwig AI indicates the correct form is "a sum of."

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an sum of" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "a sum of". As Ludwig AI points out, the indefinite article "a" should precede words beginning with a consonant sound, such as "sum". This phrase serves to indicate a total amount resulting from the addition of elements. Due to its incorrect grammar, examples are absent from the analyzed data, highlighting the importance of using the correct article. Alternatives such as "a total of" and "an amount of" can be used for similar meanings. Always ensure proper article usage for clarity and grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a total of

Replaces "sum" with "total", correcting the article usage.

a quantity of

Substitutes "sum" with "quantity", emphasizing the amount.

an amount of

Uses "amount" instead of "sum", which is grammatically correct.

a collection of

Focuses on the idea of gathering or accumulating items.

an aggregate of

Replaces "sum" with "aggregate", giving a more formal tone.

a compilation of

Suggests a gathering of information or data.

a body of

Implies a substantial collection of something.

a mass of

Indicates a large, often undefined, amount.

a combination of

Highlights the merging or adding together of different elements.

a result of

Focuses on the outcome of an addition or calculation.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "an sum of"?

The correct way to say it is "a sum of". The article "a" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound.

Is "an sum of" grammatically correct?

No, "an sum of" is grammatically incorrect. The indefinite article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound, whereas "sum" begins with a consonant sound, so the correct article is "a".

What can I say instead of "an sum of"?

Since "an sum of" is incorrect, you should use "a sum of". Alternatives include "a total of" or "an amount of" if you need to start with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "an sum of" and "a sum of"?

"An sum of" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "a sum of", where the indefinite article "a" is used because "sum" begins with a consonant sound.