have amounted to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have amounted to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has reached a particular total or level over time. Example: "The donations have amounted to over $10,000, which will greatly benefit the charity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This would have amounted to market manipulation.

The Economist

This should have amounted to something substantial.

The New York Times - Arts

That would have amounted to "unacceptable automaticity".

The Guardian

The total fine could have amounted to $70 million.

The New York Times

All the grand promises of Lisbon have amounted to nothing.

The Economist

But such efforts have amounted to only temporary Band-Aids.

The New York Times

The price cuts have amounted to almost £4bn.

The Guardian

This century, losses from disasters have amounted to $2.5tn.

The Guardian

Instead, those costs have amounted to $132 million.

The New York Times

All together, these loans have amounted to $3 million.

The New York Times

Without Johnson, Boswell's genius would have amounted to artistry unrealized.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have amounted to" to clearly express that a sum or quantity has accumulated over a period, providing a sense of progression and final result.

Common error

Avoid using the incorrect tense (e.g., "amounted to" instead of "have amounted to") when referring to an accumulation or ongoing total. Ensure the auxiliary verb reflects the completed yet relevant nature of the accumulation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have amounted to" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a resultant quantity or sum achieved over time. It connects a process or series of events to a quantifiable outcome. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it describes the final tally of a cumulative process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

91%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have amounted to" is a versatile phrase used to express the achievement of a certain quantity or result over time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, especially in news and media. It is essential to use the phrase in the correct tense and be mindful of potential errors like using "amounted to" instead. Consider using alternatives such as "have totaled" or "have reached" for variety. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively incorporate "have amounted to" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have totaled

Focuses on the numerical sum or aggregate value reached.

have reached

Emphasizes the attainment of a specific level or quantity.

have added up to

Implies a cumulative process leading to a final amount or result.

have come to

Highlights the final state or condition resulting from a process.

have equaled

Stresses the equivalence in value or quantity to a certain amount.

have built up to

Suggests a gradual increase or accumulation over time.

have aggregated to

Implies a formal or statistical accumulation of data.

have represented

Focuses on the value or proportion that something constitutes.

have accounted for

Highlights the portion or share that something contributes to a whole.

have constituted

Emphasizes the composition or formation of a total amount.

FAQs

How can I use "have amounted to" in a sentence?

Use "have amounted to" to indicate that a total sum or quantity has been reached over time, as in "The donations "have amounted to" over $10,000."

What are some alternatives to "have amounted to"?

You can use alternatives like "have totaled", "have reached", or "have added up to" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "amounted to" instead of "have amounted to"?

The phrase "amounted to" is the past tense and may be appropriate if you're discussing a completed action in the past without ongoing relevance. Use ""have amounted to"" when the accumulation has relevance to the present.

What's the difference between "have amounted to" and "have accounted for"?

"Have amounted to" indicates a total sum reached, while "have accounted for" suggests the portion or share that something represents within a larger whole.