cumulative amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cumulative amount" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use the phrase to refer to the total amount or quantity that results from repeated additions over a period of time. For example, "After two years of saving, I had accumulated a cumulative amount of $10,000."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each level award requires a cumulative amount of service.

Cornell University

Let the hair you do have grow out, and focus on the cumulative amount of hair on your head.

The New Yorker

Assuming that all one hundred passengers make that train, what is the cumulative amount of time lost (for all passengers)?

The New York Times

It was Wednesday morning, and the cumulative amount of sleep that had been had by everyone in the room was probably not much into the double digits.

The New Yorker

When a shareholder sells, the cumulative amount of his capital contributions is added to his tax basis, reducing the gain.

The New York Times

For both feeding regimes and after 148 days, all three inocula produced the same cumulative amount of methane.

Resources, Conservation and Recycling

The cumulative amount of Fe2 + ions are equivalent to CEC of 1.10 meq/g and Fe2 +/Fetotal ≈ 1.

Applied Clay Science

A higher temperature would lead to a shorter seepage time, while the cumulative amount of seepage is similar.

Construction and Building Materials

Badges are checked periodically, and the degree of exposure of the film indicates the cumulative amount of radiation to which the wearer has been exposed.

Britannica

Although pack-years of smoking is typically used to quantify the cumulative amount of smoking, the duration of smoking is not well-represented.

Nature

The cumulative amount of H2 evolved varied with the initial dosing pressure, which for 10 MPa amounted to about 0.95 wt%.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing trends or changes over time, use "cumulative amount" to clearly indicate the total accumulated up to a specific point. For instance, "The cumulative amount of rainfall this year has exceeded the average."

Common error

Avoid using "cumulative amount" when you intend to describe an average or mean value. Cumulative refers to a sum, not a central tendency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cumulative amount" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It quantifies the total accumulated value or quantity over a period. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cumulative amount" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that indicates the total quantity or value accumulated over time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence across diverse domains. Its applications span scientific research, news reporting, and business analysis. The primary contexts of use are Science (48%), News & Media (27%), and Formal & Business (10%). Common alternatives include "total accumulation", "aggregate quantity" and "sum total". When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a sum of incremental additions, rather than an average or a single, consolidated value.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cumulative total

More explicitly states that the total results from cumulative additions. It is a reciprocal expression.

total accumulation

Emphasizes the process of gathering or collecting over time.

aggregate quantity

Focuses on the combined or collective measurement of something.

sum total

Highlights the final result of addition, often implying a complete tally.

accrued sum

Implies a gradual accumulation, often with interest or other increases over time.

combined volume

Specifies the total space occupied when multiple items are put together.

overall accumulation

Similar to "total accumulation" but may imply a less precise or formal measurement.

lumped sum

Indicates a single, consolidated amount rather than a series of additions.

total aggregate

Combines "total" and "aggregate" for emphasis, implying a comprehensive sum.

final tally

Focuses on the act of counting and arriving at a conclusive result.

FAQs

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

Use "cumulative amount" to describe a total that increases over time through addition. For example, "The "cumulative amount" of debt increased each month."

What phrases are similar to "cumulative amount"?

Alternatives include "total accumulation", "aggregate quantity", or "sum total", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "cumulative total"?

While "cumulative" implies a total, using "cumulative total" can provide emphasis and clarity, especially when the cumulative nature is important.

What's the difference between "cumulative amount" and "aggregate amount"?

"Aggregate amount" refers to a combined total from different sources or categories, while "cumulative amount" specifically describes a total that increases over time through successive additions.