cumulatively

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "cumulatively" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adverb and usually means "in a cumulative manner; cumulatively adding up." For example, you could use it in a sentence like this: The company has seen a steady growth in profits cumulatively over the past five years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My case is that your government has cumulatively attacked the Rule of Law by reducing liberties in many different areas.

The Guardian - Opinion

But taken cumulatively, they have resulted in the emergence of a very different city; one that is eminently more liveable.

The Guardian

Cumulatively, and amid the continuing mass arrests and detentions, these incidents have had a chilling effect on the media.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dan turned it down by two degrees and we haven't noticed any difference at all, but we should see the difference cumulatively in our bills.

The Guardian

Cumulatively, it suggests that the breadth of the violence, along with the extent of official involvement, was significantly underestimated.

The Guardian

Cumulatively, it could be too deliberately gross-out and easy but, in 2014, Lahiri seems to be the only female character on TV who will – with all the above present – consistently go on about how hot she is, while looking and meaning it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Chief among these requests is that no more developments are approved along the Queensland coast that would "impact individually or cumulatively" on the reef's remarkable natural heritage.

The Guardian

Cumulatively, they earn the author a sort of trust.Certainly, this is a book about people.

The Economist

According to the American Sugar Alliance, a trade group based in Washington, DC, the average American eats 44 pounds (20kg) of sugar per year, which means the population cumulatively eats 25% more than the country can produce from sugarcane and beets.

The Economist

But cumulatively they represent a concerted erosion of democratic freedoms.

The Economist

Cumulatively, estimates Lindsay Lowell of the Pew Hispanic Centre, a think-tank, 12% of Mexico's population with higher education is in the United States, and 75% of Jamaica's.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cumulatively" when you want to emphasize that the total impact or effect is the result of successive additions or changes over time. This helps highlight the gradual nature of the process.

Common error

Avoid using "cumulatively" when describing events happening simultaneously or without a progressive build-up. It's best reserved for scenarios where each step adds to the previous one.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "cumulatively" primarily functions to modify a verb or clause, indicating that an action or effect is the result of incremental additions or changes over time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Encyclopedias

22%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "cumulatively" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, to highlight the building or accumulating nature of an action or effect over time. Predominantly appearing in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse writing contexts. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "collectively" or "in total", depending on the desired emphasis. Remember to reserve its usage for scenarios involving a progressive build-up to ensure accurate conveyance of the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in aggregate

Formal and emphasizes the total or combined amount from distinct sources.

collectively

Focuses on the group acting as one, rather than the step-by-step process.

taken together

Specifically directs attention to the combined consideration of multiple elements.

in total

Emphasizes the final sum or aggregate result, less about the process.

altogether

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the effect or quantity.

in combination

Emphasizes the merging of different elements to yield a combined effect

progressively

Highlights step-by-step nature of the change, less emphasis on the total

incrementally

Focuses on small, individual increases contributing to a larger whole.

all in all

Offers an overall assessment based on accumulated considerations or events

jointly

More focused on shared action or responsibility rather than accumulation.

FAQs

How do I use "cumulatively" in a sentence?

Use "cumulatively" to show that an effect is built up over time through successive additions. For example, "The small savings add up "cumulatively" to a significant amount."

What can I say instead of "cumulatively"?

You can use alternatives like "collectively", "in total", or "altogether" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "cumulatively increase"?

While not inherently incorrect, it can be redundant. "Increase "cumulatively"" implies the increase is happening over time. A better option might be to choose one or the other based on what you want to emphasize.

What is the difference between "cumulatively" and "progressively"?

"Progressively" emphasizes the continuous or staged manner of the change, while ""cumulatively"" highlights the resulting total or accumulated effect of those changes over time. They both imply change over time.