Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
before summation
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "before summation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts involving mathematics, statistics, or any situation where a summation is relevant, indicating a point in time or a condition prior to the act of summing. Example: "We need to ensure all data is accurate before summation to avoid errors in the final result."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Alternative expressions(1)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
6 human-written examples
Figure 1 The human ear is insensitive to phase differences, making the temporal representation of audio signals ill-suited for perceptual coding; (a) shows the sum of two sine waves (1 kHz and 3 kHz); (b) 3 kHz sine wave was phase shifted by pi before summation.
In order to provide a combined dissatisfaction level for all users we take each d u and weight it with the corresponding user privilege level W u before summation to arrive at a combined overall dissatisfaction (D), for all users, as defined in (2).
Each of the items has a corresponding seven-point assessment scale, and there are 13 items that are negatively expressed and have to be reversed before summation.
[56] The CCSD-F12b and (T) contributions to the correlation energy are extrapolated separately, before summation with the HF reference energy (including CABS singles relaxation [57] as implemented in molpro) 58, 59 from the largest basis set calculation carried out.
Before summation, values below the limit of detection (LOD) were substituted with the congener-specific LOD divided by the square root of 2. The ΣPCB variable was divided into quintiles, with the first quintile serving as the referent category.
Dioxin toxic equivalents (TEQs) were computed on a lipid basis using the 2005 World Health Organization (WHO) toxic equivalency factors to weight the potency of each congener relative to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzommation (Van den Berg et al. 2006).
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
53 human-written examples
On the night before summations, Sharpton served as the first questioner at the debate between Gore and Bill Bradley at the Apollo Theatre.
News & Media
Rounding is required at each lifting step before the summation, i.e. eight times in total.
The single wall BLE of the rear wall is multiplied by a correction term of the spacing between the two walls before the summation.
The two before the summation accounts for the fact that the high line allelic values are represented as G 1 and the low line values as − G 1. With 10 loci, (2) P = ∑ i = n + o b s 10 P r { n + = i | 2 ∑ G 1 ≥ R }.
Science
During a recess before final summations in the Lotter trial, I sat in the almost empty courtroom going over my notes.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "before summation", ensure the context clearly defines what elements are being summed and why the preliminary action is necessary.
Common error
Avoid implying the summation includes the action performed "before summation". Clarify if the action modifies elements included in the summation versus affecting a separate variable.
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "before summation" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating a temporal relationship. It modifies a verb or clause, specifying when an action occurs in relation to the act of summing values. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is both grammatically correct and understandable.
Frequent in
Science
75%
News & Media
12%
Formal & Business
6%
Less common in
Academia
3%
Wiki
2%
Encyclopedias
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "before summation" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase primarily employed in scientific and technical domains. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. It serves to denote actions or conditions that must precede the act of summing values, emphasizing the importance of preprocessing data for accurate results. While alternatives such as "prior to summing" or "ahead of summation" exist, "before summation" maintains a level of formality suitable for academic or technical writing. When employing this phrase, clarity is crucial to avoid misinterpreting the order of operations. Ensure your sentence structure clearly defines what is being summed and why the initial action is necessary.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
prior to summing
Emphasizes the temporal sequence using a gerund form.
ahead of summation
Indicates anticipation or preparation for the summation.
previous to totaling
Replaces "summation" with "totaling" for a slightly less formal tone.
in advance of summing
Highlights the proactive nature of performing an action before the summation.
before the total
Simplifies the phrase by referring directly to the total rather than the process.
pre-summation
Uses a hyphenated form to create a concise adjective.
leading up to summation
Focuses on the process or actions leading to the summation.
in preparation for summation
Highlights the preparatory steps before the summation.
antecedent to summation
Uses a more formal and technical term for 'before'.
preceding summation
Offers a slightly more formal synonym for "before".
FAQs
How can I use "before summation" in a sentence?
You can use "before summation" to indicate a step that must occur before a total or aggregate value is calculated. For example, "Values below the detection limit were adjusted "before summation" to avoid skewing the results."
What is a more common alternative to "before summation"?
While "before summation" is correct, alternatives like "prior to summing" or "in advance of summation" might sound more natural in some contexts.
Is it always necessary to specify an action "before summation"?
No, it's only necessary when a specific preparatory step affects the accuracy or interpretation of the final summed value. If the summation is straightforward, specifying a preliminary action might be redundant.
What kind of actions are typically performed "before summation"?
Common actions include standardizing data, reversing negative values, weighting individual components, or handling missing values to ensure the summation yields a meaningful result.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested