entire sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "entire sum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the total amount or complete quantity of something, often in mathematical or financial contexts. Example: "The entire sum of the donations collected will be used to support local charities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He said he was hopeful the entire sum could be raised.

The New York Times - Arts

That entire sum was then consumed by finance costs of £49.5m, leading to a pre-tax loss of £4.7m.

The Guardian - Business

We human beings now have the power to exterminate ourselves; this seems to be the entire sum of our achievement.

The New Yorker

For a percentage, brokers would link potential soldiers with communities offering high bounties, then bolt with the entire sum.

The New York Times

Referring to the $3.15 million, Mr. Kohl said, "I will soon be in a position to transfer the entire sum to the treasurer of the Christian Democratic Union".

The New York Times

The museum has raised the entire sum from an anonymous benefactor and publicly says it is prepared to meet the terms to get the device back.

The New York Times

The entire sum was seized, resulting in a lengthy and costly battle with the government, which even threatened to charge her criminally.

The New Yorker

The House voted unanimously to double the benefit for family members of military personnel killed on duty to $12,000 and make the entire sum tax-free.

The New York Times

The morning of the follow-up, said Mark Brandt, the company's chief development officer, a single angel investor from outside the group committed to the entire sum.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

So, she turned once again to family for help, asking her parents to believe in her enough to lend her the entire required sum.

The New York Times

'Four towns share the three-cows tribute,' says Raquel Marco Landa, Isaba's deputy mayor, 'so the maths were always difficult.' It's now 15 years since any cattle changed hands; the good news is that the entire cash sum which does is blown on the celebratory feast.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "entire sum", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the sum refers to. For instance, specify "the entire sum of donations" or "the entire sum invested" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "entire sum total" as it is redundant. "Entire sum" already implies the total amount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "entire sum" primarily functions as a noun phrase that refers to the complete or total amount of something. The Ludwig examples indicate its common usage in financial, legal, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "entire sum" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that denotes the complete or total amount of something. As Ludwig AI explains, it is often used in financial, legal, and general contexts, and primarily functions to specify and emphasize the completeness of a quantity or amount. While its register is generally neutral, it tends to be more prevalent in formal settings, such as business, news, and academic discourse. Common alternatives include "total amount", "complete amount" and "full amount". Avoid redundancy by not using phrases like "entire sum total".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

total amount

Replaces "sum" with a more general term, emphasizing the quantity.

complete amount

Similar to "total amount", but highlights the completeness of the quantity.

full amount

Highlights that nothing is missing from the sum.

whole amount

Implies that all parts are included without any reduction.

aggregate total

A more formal way of expressing the total when referring to collected items.

grand total

Suggests a final calculation or the culmination of several additions.

overall total

Emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the calculation.

net total

Specifies the final amount after deductions.

gross total

Total before deductions.

total price

Referring to the total cost.

FAQs

How can I use "entire sum" in a sentence?

You can use "entire sum" to refer to a complete amount. For example, "The museum has raised the "entire sum" from an anonymous benefactor."

What are some alternatives to using "entire sum"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "total amount", "complete amount", or "full amount".

Is it correct to say "entire sum total"?

No, it's redundant. "Entire sum" and "total" have overlapping meanings, so using them together is unnecessary. Stick to just the "entire sum" or the total.

What's the difference between "entire sum" and "grand total"?

"Entire sum" refers to the complete quantity, while "grand total" often implies the final calculation after several additions or adjustments.