as a total of

USAGE SUMMARY

"as a total of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a cumulative amount or amount of items. For instance, "We had to buy five items, as a total of $50."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As a total of 563,000 passengers arrived in the city, more than a quarter of trains were over capacity and nearly three-fifths had passengers standing.

The Guardian

Biochemistry proficiency is required by the end of the second year, as well as a total of 80 units and completed qualifying examinations.

Stanford University

In 2017, Trump's State Department offered a different number as a total of how many established terrorists had entered the United States from Mexico.

The Washington Post

As many as a total of five civilians and soldiers have been killed on both sides, according to Thai and Cambodian news reports.

The New York Times

The state-run Anatolian News Agency said 33 soldiers, including officers, defected as a total of 224 people crossed into Turkey overnight.

Independent

As the eighth seed, the Rangers would host up to three home games, worth as much as a total of $6 million.

The New York Times - Sports

Using an opportunity cost model, uncompensated care was calculated for each department as a total of bad debt and free care and then compared to existing estimates of such care.

Yale University

When it is finished in 2015, the mixed-use project is to include offices, shops and restaurants, as well as a total of 900 apartments on its 20 acres.

The New York Times

The share of young businesses – defined as those started within the last five years – as a total of all companies also declined, to 35 percent in 2010, from 50 percent in the early 1980s.

The New York Times

The diversity of soil types was high, as a total of eight great groups were sampled.

Carbon Balance and Management

Stephen Fry hosts from the Royal Opera House as a total of 26 awards are presented during the event.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a total of" to clearly indicate the sum or cumulative quantity when multiple items or figures are being combined. For example, "The project required three phases, as a total of six months to complete."

Common error

Avoid using "as a total of" when the context already implies a total. For example, instead of saying "The sum was calculated as a total of $100", simply state "The sum was $100" to eliminate unnecessary redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a total of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or noun phrase. It introduces a quantity or sum, specifying the cumulative amount resulting from combining multiple items or figures. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

34%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a total of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate a cumulative quantity or sum. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure it adds clarity and precision without being redundant. Consider alternatives like "in total" or "altogether" for conciseness. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate register, you can effectively incorporate "as a total of" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in total

This alternative is shorter and more direct, omitting "as a" for brevity.

altogether

This alternative substitutes the entire phrase with a single adverb conveying the same meaning.

combined

This alternative shifts the focus to the action of combining, rather than the resulting total.

in aggregate

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the overall sum, suitable for technical or statistical contexts.

taken together

This alternative highlights the act of considering items as a group to reach a total.

summed up

This alternative focuses on the process of summation, suggesting an arithmetical operation.

cumulatively

This alternative emphasizes the gradual accumulation to reach the total.

the sum of

This alternative presents the total as a result of addition, highlighting the components.

amounting to

This alternative expresses the final quantity or value that something reaches.

representing a total of

This alternative is more descriptive, explicitly stating that the figure represents a total.

FAQs

How can I use "as a total of" in a sentence?

You can use "as a total of" to specify a sum or cumulative quantity. For example, "The event raised funds from three sources, "as a total of" $5,000".

What are some alternatives to "as a total of"?

Alternatives include "in total", "altogether", or "combined", depending on the context. Each option offers a slightly different nuance in meaning.

Is it redundant to use "as a total of" after already stating a sum?

Yes, using "as a total of" after stating a sum can be redundant. It's generally better to simply state the sum directly, such as "The sum was $100" instead of "The sum was "as a total of" $100".

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

"As a total of" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the process of totaling or combining, while "in total" is more concise and direct, simply stating the overall amount.