count towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'count towards' is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to indicate that something contributes to a total amount or number. For example, "The extra 3 points will count towards his total score."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Does A College Degree Count Towards Employment?

Stanford University

Time served would count towards any sentence.

The Guardian

Do footnotes count towards the word limit?

Harvard University

Do pro bono hours count towards that?

Cornell University

Which classes count towards Columbia's prerequisite courses?

Columbia University

"10XX" courses do not count towards graduation credit but does count towards full-time status.

Cornell University

PE courses do not count towards graduation credit and do not count towards full-time status.

Cornell University

The future potential production reserves count towards that figure.

The Guardian

"First year doesn't count towards your final degree".

The Guardian

Can my prior with other schools count towards the requirement?

Harvard University

Does transportation time count towards the graduation pro bono requirement?

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "count towards", ensure the context clearly indicates what total or goal the subject is contributing to. For example, "These credits will "count towards" your degree requirements".

Common error

A common mistake is using "count toward" (singular) instead of "count towards". Remember that "towards" is a preposition indicating direction, and is almost always plural in this context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "count towards" functions as a prepositional verb phrase, indicating that something contributes to a larger whole or final result. As Ludwig examples show, it's commonly used in academic and professional contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

53%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the prepositional phrase "count towards" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something contributes to a specific total or objective. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's most often found in academic and news-related contexts, highlighting its versatility. While synonyms like "contribute to" and "go towards" exist, "count towards" provides a clear and direct way to convey contribution. Remember to use "towards" (plural) to avoid grammatical errors. The phrase is well-supported by authoritative sources, making it a reliable choice for diverse writing needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contribute to

This alternative offers a more direct and simpler way of expressing contribution.

go towards

This phrase implies a directional aspect of contributing to a specific purpose or goal.

help to achieve

This suggests a more direct contribution towards reaching a specific goal.

factor into

This option emphasizes that something is taken into account when calculating a final result.

contribute to the achievement of

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the outcome or result.

play a role in

This implies that something has an effect or influence on a particular situation.

be a component of

This alternative focuses on the idea that something is one part of a larger whole.

be relevant to

This choice means that something has a connection with a particular topic or goal.

be applicable to

This option highlights that something can be legitimately applied or used for a purpose.

weigh in

This implies that something has a level of importance or influence.

FAQs

How can I use "count towards" in a sentence?

Use "count towards" to indicate that something contributes to a final total or goal. For example, "Each assignment grade will "count towards" your final course grade".

What's a synonym for "count towards"?

Alternatives to "count towards" include "contribute to", "go towards", or "factor into", depending on the specific context.

Is it "count toward" or "count towards"?

The correct phrase is "count towards". "Towards" is a preposition, and the 's' is typically included. Using "count toward" is generally considered grammatically incorrect.

Does attendance "count towards" my grade?

Whether attendance "counts towards" your grade depends on the specific policies of your school or course. Check your syllabus or ask your instructor for clarification.