full sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "full sum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the total amount or entirety of something, often in financial contexts. Example: "After reviewing all the expenses, the full sum of the project costs was higher than anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

If we insist on the full sum, Russia will default.

The New York Times

It took special state legislation to restore the full sum, he said.

The New York Times

I am promised that you will soon be sent the full sum.

The Guardian - Money

Chung had little more than two thousand dollars in the bank, but he wired the full sum right away.

The New Yorker

In Brazil survivors of any age get almost the full sum for the rest of their lives.

The Economist

Mr. Rimmer would pay Mr. Shareef a total of $19,000, plus $300 a week until he came up with the full sum.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

The score ranges from 1 to 6 (full ability) and the total sum score ranges from 5 to 30.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

That sum, the full amount requested by President Bush, is $3 billion more than Congress provided in the last fiscal year.

The New York Times

It also understands that there will be no obligation to take income tax powers to access this full amount - the sums generated by Stamp Duty and Landfill Tax will be sufficient as income streams.

BBC

However, she is unsure whether to take the full lump sum of £68,200, leaving her an income of £10,300 a year, or take a smaller lump sum of £28,300, ensuring she gets £13,600 a year.

The Guardian - Money

A statement on Vodafone's website said that the company "meets its tax obligations in the UK" and was paying the full £1.25bn sum of tax agreed following the HMRC investigation.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "full sum", ensure the context clearly indicates what the sum represents. For example, specify "full sum of the debt" or "full sum of the investment" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "full sum" when referring to a partial amount or installment. The term implies completeness, so it's inappropriate for describing portions of a total.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "full sum" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically modifying another noun or serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As stated in Ludwig, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "full sum" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term that signifies the total amount or entirety of something, particularly in financial or quantitative contexts. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media, as well as in formal and business writing. When using this phrase, clarity is key to ensure the context clearly defines what the "full sum" represents. While alternatives such as "total amount" or "complete amount" exist, "full sum" is generally appropriate for emphasizing completeness, especially in legal and financial documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete amount

Replaces "full" with "complete", emphasizing the entirety of the sum.

total amount

Uses "total" instead of "full", highlighting the aggregate quantity.

entire sum

Substitutes "full" with "entire", stressing the wholeness of the sum.

whole amount

Replaces "full" with "whole", emphasizing the undivided nature of the sum.

total value

Shifts from "sum" to "value", focusing on the overall worth.

complete payment

Specifies that the "full sum" is related to a payment.

entirety of the sum

Adds "entirety of", making the phrase more emphatic.

aggregate total

Uses "aggregate" and "total" to denote the combined sum.

overall total

Emphasizes the final or resulting total amount.

grand total

Indicates the final sum after all additions or calculations.

FAQs

How do you use "full sum" in a sentence?

You can use "full sum" to refer to the total amount of money, debt, or other quantifiable assets. For example: "The contract requires payment of the "full sum" within 30 days."

What can I say instead of "full sum"?

You can use alternatives like "complete amount", "total amount", or "entire sum" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "full sum" in formal writing?

The term "full sum" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to emphasize the entirety of an amount, especially in legal or financial contexts. It adds a tone of completeness and finality.

Is there a difference between "full amount" and "full sum"?

While "full amount" and "full sum" are similar, ""full sum"" often implies a specific, calculated total, whereas "full amount" can refer to a less precise quantity. The choice depends on the context.