in sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in sum" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to summarize or conclude a discussion or argument. Example: "In sum, the research indicates that regular exercise significantly improves mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In sum: 1.

The New York Times

In sum, weep not.

The New Yorker

In sum, "Sitting pretty are the boys".

The New Yorker

In sum, these people deserved no mercy.

Independent

In sum, he trusted people to create.

The New York Times

The job, in sum, was straightforward.

The New York Times

In sum, slow but steady progress.

The Economist

In sum, his traits reflect theirs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In sum, two problems stand out.

The New York Times

In sum, Mr Assad still looks doomed.

The Economist

In sum, Ravitch highlights a core tension.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in sum" to introduce a concise summary after presenting multiple points or arguments. It helps to signal the conclusion and provide a clear takeaway for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "in sum" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound stilted or overly formal in such settings; simpler alternatives like "so" or "basically" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

"In sum" functions as an adverbial phrase. Ludwig AI indicates that it modifies the entire sentence, providing a summarizing function. It typically introduces a concise conclusion or restatement of preceding information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

32%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"In sum" is a useful adverbial phrase for signaling a concise summary or conclusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and common in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news and academic writing. While versatile, it's best used when a brief restatement is needed to clarify complex information. Alternatives include "in summary" or "to summarize", offering similar functionalities with slight variations in formality. Using "in sum" effectively helps to provide clarity and ensure key points are remembered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in summary

A very close synonym, offering nearly identical meaning and usage.

to summarize

This is a more straightforward and common way to indicate a summary is following.

in short

Similar to "in brief", emphasizes a concise restatement.

in conclusion

A slightly more elaborate way to signal the end of a discussion.

to conclude

More formal, suggesting a final statement or judgment.

in essence

Focuses on the core or fundamental nature of the topic being summarized.

in brief

Emphasizes conciseness and brevity in the summary.

to put it briefly

Signals that a succinct explanation is about to be given.

briefly stated

Highlights that the following information is a shortened version of something.

overall

Provides a general view or summary of the whole matter.

FAQs

How do I use "in sum" in a sentence?

"In sum" is typically used to introduce a concise summary or conclusion. For example, "After considering all the evidence, in sum, the project was a success."

What can I say instead of "in sum"?

You can use alternatives like "in summary", "in conclusion", or "to summarize", depending on the context.

Is "in sum" formal or informal?

"In sum" is generally considered to be more formal than alternatives like "so" or "basically", but less formal than "to conclude".

When should I use "in sum"?

Use "in sum" when you want to provide a brief summary of previously discussed points, especially in writing or more formal speaking situations.