as a sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a sum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the total amount or aggregate of something, often in mathematical or financial contexts. Example: "The total expenses for the project were calculated as a sum of all individual costs incurred throughout the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Is it significant that the slogan is expressed as a sum - in effect, X + 0 = X?

The Guardian - Arts

The amount of money involved was described as "a sum to be set later".

The Guardian

Newton's more difficult achievement was inversion: given y = f(x) as a sum of powers of x, find x as a sum of powers of y.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One can think of the solid as a sum of such sections, called indivisibles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Students can borrow the fees from the government, as well as a sum towards living expenses.

The Economist

The structure of the object can be represented as a sum of sinusoidal components.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Liapunov function is taken as a sum of positive definite functions with different degrees.

International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics

The electron molecule interaction is treated as a sum of three terms: electrostatic, exchange, and polarization.

Computer Physics Communications

Non-Gaussian distributions are represented as a sum of normal distributions.

International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics

Each simulated species was constructed as a sum of responses with varying weights.

Ecological Modelling

¯y(k) is given as a sum of the signal and the white observation noise.

Applied Mathematics and Computation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a sum", ensure the context clearly involves addition or aggregation. This phrase is most effective when you want to emphasize that a final value is the result of combining multiple components.

Common error

Avoid using "as a sum" when a simple statement of quantity or total is sufficient. Using it in contexts where no explicit addition is involved can sound unnatural or overly technical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a sum" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating that a quantity or result is derived from the addition of multiple components. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as a sum" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed prepositional phrase used to emphasize that a value or result is derived from the addition of multiple components. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability, particularly in scientific and technical domains. While it's appropriate for news and general writing, it finds its strongest use in academic, scientific, and professional environments, offering clarity by highlighting the additive process. Related alternatives include "in total", "altogether", and "taken together". When using "as a sum", ensure the context clearly involves addition or aggregation to avoid misuse. Its technical connotation warrants careful consideration to ensure it aligns with the intended message and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in total

A simpler way to express the combined amount, omitting the "as a" portion.

altogether

A single-word adverb that indicates the total or combined amount.

in aggregate

Replaces "as a sum" with a more concise term for the total or combined amount.

as an aggregate

Uses a more formal noun to refer to the total.

combined

Focuses on the act of combining to reach a total rather than explicitly stating it's a sum.

taken together

Shifts the focus to the combination of elements rather than the mathematical operation.

when added up

More explicitly references the addition process to arrive at a total.

when totaled

A variation that implies calculating a total.

as a whole

Emphasizes viewing something in its entirety rather than individual components.

summatively

Replaces the prepositional phrase with an adverb describing how something is considered.

FAQs

How do I use "as a sum" in a sentence?

Use "as a sum" to describe a total or result that is obtained by adding individual components together. For instance, "The final cost was calculated as a sum of materials and labor."

What can I say instead of "as a sum"?

You can use alternatives like "in total", "altogether", or "taken together" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "as a sum"?

It's appropriate when you specifically want to highlight that a value is derived from the addition of several contributing factors or elements. It emphasizes the additive process.

What's the difference between "as a sum" and "as a total"?

"As a sum" specifically refers to the result of addition, while "as a total" is a more general term referring to a complete quantity or amount, regardless of how it was obtained. "As a sum" implies the value was derived through addition.