in sums

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in sums" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to total amounts or aggregates, often in financial or mathematical contexts. Example: "The total expenses for the project, in sums, exceeded our initial budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

But that becomes pricey once you start dealing in sums much above £1,000.

The Guardian - Money

So far they have gathered $38,000, most of it in sums of $25.

The New York Times

In America, a politician should not appear too literate; in France, he should not appear overly interested in sums.

The New Yorker

And he did so — in some cases, in sums as high as $500,000 from a single person.

The New York Times

Bernie Madoff has made it necessary to scam people in sums counted with a "b," for billions.

The New York Times

Five years ago betting firms paid winnings equal to some 70% of the total wagered; now they pay around 93%, contributing to the rapid increase in sums wagered.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Real returns adjusted for what was paid in (payroll taxes) have trailed private sector returns, even though the paid-in sums have sky-rocketed.

Forbes

In sum: 1.

The New York Times

In sum, weep not.

The New Yorker

The job, in sum, was straightforward.

The New York Times

In sum, slow but steady progress.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in sums", ensure clarity by specifying the units of measurement (e.g., dollars, euros, units) to avoid ambiguity. This is especially important in technical or financial contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "in sums" in simple contexts where alternatives like "in total" or "altogether" are more concise and direct. Opt for simpler phrasing to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in sums" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb by specifying the manner or extent of an amount. It describes how a total is derived by combining individual values. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in sums" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe aggregate amounts, often in financial or mathematical contexts. While Ludwig confirms its validity, simpler alternatives like "in total" or "altogether" may be preferable in informal settings to maintain clarity. The phrase is commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific publications, with a slightly formal register. When using "in sums", it's crucial to specify the units of measurement to avoid any potential ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in total

Replaces the phrase with a more common and direct expression of the total amount.

in aggregate

Substitutes with a synonym emphasizing the combined amount.

collectively

Focuses on the group or collection of amounts rather than the specific summing action.

altogether

Offers a concise alternative to indicate the total.

in accumulation

Highlights the process of gathering amounts, providing a slightly different emphasis.

in gross

Emphasizes the overall, undetailed amount.

in entirety

Refers to the whole amount without focusing on individual sums.

as a whole

Shifts the focus to the complete entity rather than the addition of parts.

taken together

Emphasizes the combined consideration of multiple amounts.

in consolidated form

Suggests a more formalized or structured aggregation.

FAQs

How can I use "in sums" in a sentence?

You can use "in sums" to describe the total amount resulting from combining multiple values, such as, "The donations, "in sums", exceeded our expectations."

What are some alternatives to "in sums"?

Alternatives to "in sums" include "in total", "altogether", or "collectively", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "in sums" formal or informal?

"In sums" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While grammatically correct, simpler alternatives like "in total" might be preferred in informal contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "in sums"?

It's suitable when you want to emphasize the process of combining or adding up multiple amounts, particularly in financial or mathematical contexts. For example, "The expenses, "in sums", were substantial."