cumulative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cumulative" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that increases or accumulates over time, often in contexts like statistics, finance, or education. Example: "The cumulative effect of the small changes led to significant improvements in the project's outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the TUC reckons it would be nearer £4 in every £100 and the IFS says it would mean that "unprotected" government departments – including communities and local government – face cuts of 18% through to 2018-19 and a cumulative 33% since 2010.

The Guardian

While the pace of decline in GDP slowed from the 2.4% seen in the first three months of 2009, the economy has suffered a cumulative contraction of 5.7% in the last five quarters.

The Guardian - Business

While Kennedy's unexpected death at the age of 55 prompted friends to reflect on his troubled relationship with alcohol and the series of family tragedies which had placed him under cumulative stress in recent years, others emphasised that his spirits had been relatively buoyant despite his general election defeat in early May.

The Guardian

Given the cumulative public disapproval on this subject, it is tempting for politicians to give voice to that.

The Guardian

The BBC, which chose not to combine the cumulative audience for the Queen's speech, said BBC1 had the top five most watched programmes on Christmas Day.

The Guardian

The cumulative effect of the neglect of manufacturing is now being seen in our trading performance.

The Guardian - Business

To be grossing £2.8m in the sixth weekend of release is exceptional, as is the film's cumulative total of £30.82m.

The Guardian - Film

I hope that you believe you are acting in good faith; that you are simply motivated by the need to respond to the threats of terrorism and organised crime and the nuisance of anti-social behaviour, but I wonder if you have any idea of the cumulative effect of the 15 or so bills which have incrementally removed or compromised our liberties.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even so, according to the IFS the cumulative cut to the budgets of non-protected departments between 2010 and 2018 will be 32.9%.

The Guardian

The cumulative total is now £36.75m, which is about 2% down on its predecessor, The Desolation of Smaug, at the same stage of its run.

The Guardian - Film

With a cumulative height gain of 14,000 metres and a vertical two kilometre climb to an altitude of 3,200m on the final stage, the TAM promises to be a truly tough race.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing trends or results over a period, use "cumulative" to clearly show the total effect of incremental changes. For example, "the cumulative impact of these policies was significant".

Common error

Avoid using "accumulative" when you mean "cumulative". While similar, "cumulative" implies a running total that incorporates all previous amounts, while "accumulative" suggests a general tendency to accumulate.

Linguistic Context

Cumulative functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something is formed by successive additions or incorporates all previous data. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "cumulative" precedes nouns like 'effect', 'total', and 'impact'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cumulative" is a versatile adjective used to describe the total effect of successive additions or changes. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used, primarily in news, formal business, and scientific contexts. While "accumulative" is similar, "cumulative" specifically implies a running total, making it the preferred choice when discussing progressive amounts. Remember to use "cumulative" to clearly indicate the total impact of incremental changes over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accumulated total

Focuses specifically on the end result of accumulation rather than the process.

aggregate amount

Implies a gathering or summing up of distinct items or quantities.

total sum

Highlights the final quantity reached after successive additions.

combined effect

Emphasizes the result of multiple factors acting together.

progressive increase

Suggests a gradual and ongoing growth or rise.

running total

Specifically refers to a total that is constantly updated with new additions.

overall impact

Focuses on the final effect after a series of contributing factors.

successive addition

Highlights the step-by-step nature of the accumulation.

gathered quantity

Implies that items were brought together to increase the amount.

compounded growth

Suggests that growth is exponential, with gains building on previous gains.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "cumulative" in a sentence?

Use "cumulative" to describe a total amount or effect that increases over time by successive additions. For example, "the cumulative effect of the budget cuts was devastating".

What are some alternatives to using "cumulative"?

You can use alternatives like "accumulated total", "aggregate amount", or "combined effect" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "cumulative" and "accumulative"?

"Cumulative" refers to the total amount gathered over time through successive additions, while "accumulative" describes something that tends to accumulate. Therefore, "cumulative" is preferred when dealing with progressive totals.

In what contexts is the word "cumulative" most appropriate?

The word "cumulative" is appropriate in contexts involving progressive totals such as finance, statistics, and describing the "cumulative effect" of policies or changes over time.