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
by totalling
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "by totalling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of summing up numbers or amounts in a calculation or report. Example: "The final report was completed by totalling all the expenses incurred during the project."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Encyclopedias
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
22 human-written examples
The prognostic index score (PIS) of each patient was calculated by totalling up the scores of each independent variable.
Science
Abundance at the farm level was calculated by totalling all individuals in all the sampled habitats on each farm.
Science & Research
The critical path is the minimum time that a project can take, represented by the greatest of the times that are obtained by totalling the individual activities on any path from start to finish.
Encyclopedias
This is done by totalling the sum of projected or extrapolated commercial revenue streams from the royalty-bearing IP licensing transactions - also known as Realised Imputed Commercial Value RICVV).
Science
Lesley Coker, the funeral director arrives to discuss the funeral, describing Pat as one of the 'Great Ladies of the East End.' Coker offers the premier service, shocking David and Carol by totalling £15,000.
News & Media
This was achieved by totalling the ionisation intensities of all the protonated [M+H]+ surfactin groups (Srf1 4) detected in standard surfactin (Table 2), which was assumed equal to 1.00 mg mL−1 for comparative purposes only, as the absolute purity of the surfactin standard is unknown.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
38 human-written examples
(She did this by totaling the numbers in our names).
News & Media
Sub-scale scores are derived by totaling the scores.
Science
Spiritually replaced by Total Wipeout.
News & Media
"Game ruined again by total incompetence.
News & Media
What do we mean by total cost?
Academia
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "by totalling", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being added together. For example, specify the items, scores, or quantities that are being totalled.
Common error
Avoid using "by totalling" without specifying the units of measurement (e.g., dollars, points, kilograms). Always clarify what the total represents to avoid ambiguity.
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "by totalling" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the method or process by which an action is performed, specifically through the act of summing or adding items together to reach a total as shown in Ludwig.
Frequent in
Science
56%
News & Media
28%
Encyclopedias
6%
Less common in
Formal & Business
4%
Academia
4%
Reference
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "by totalling" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that specifies a method of calculation, as validated by Ludwig. It is most frequently found in scientific contexts, followed by news and media, as it offers a clear and concise way to describe the process of arriving at a final sum. While versatile, it's important to specify what is being totalled and to include units of measurement for clarity. Alternatives such as "by summing up" or "by adding up" may be suitable in more informal settings. Overall, understanding the contexts and nuances of "by totalling" can enhance precision and clarity in writing.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
by summing up
Directly replaces "totalling" with its synonym "summing up", maintaining near-identical meaning.
by adding up
Uses the phrasal verb "adding up" instead of "totalling", presenting a slightly less formal tone.
by calculating the total of
Focuses on the mathematical aspect of finding the total value.
by aggregating
Replaces "totalling" with the more formal term "aggregating", implying a gathering of data for a total.
by computing the sum of
A more technical way of expressing the same concept, suitable for mathematical or statistical contexts.
by combining
Emphasizes the act of bringing different elements together to form a total.
by determining the aggregate of
Emphasizes finding the overall combined value using a more formal, statistical tone.
by accumulating
Highlights the gradual increase to a final sum, suitable when the total is built up over time.
by reckoning
A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying "calculating a total".
by consolidating
Suggests a merging or streamlining of multiple items into a unified whole, with less emphasis on simple addition.
FAQs
What does "by totalling" mean?
The phrase "by totalling" means calculating a sum or a total by adding individual items or values together. It indicates a method of arriving at a final amount through addition.
What are some alternatives to "by totalling"?
You can use alternatives like "by summing up", "by adding up", or "by calculating the total of" depending on the context.
How is "by totalling" used in scientific writing?
In scientific writing, "by totalling" is often used to describe how a final score, count, or measurement was derived. For example, "The total score was calculated by totalling the individual item scores."
Is "by totalling" formal or informal?
The phrase "by totalling" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While suitable for academic and professional writing, more casual settings might benefit from a more colloquial alternative like "by adding up".
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
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested