in the aggregate

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the aggregate" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to the whole of something, the overall amount or total, or a collective amount when considering a set of individual items. For example: "The profits for this quarter were down, but in the aggregate, the company made a higher profit than last quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Therefore, in the aggregate, private savings can increase only if government (net) spends more.

Huffington Post

That way, each shimmers brighter in the aggregate glow.

The New York Times - Food

In the aggregate, the insurer comes out ahead.

The New Yorker

Still, what was achieved in the aggregate was very significant.

The New Yorker

For people in the aggregate, however, it makes no difference.

The Guardian - Opinion

But in the aggregate, he was a net seller.

The New York Times

"Writers are, in the aggregate, charming, manipulative, secretive, sometimes violent.

The New Yorker

In the aggregate, little or no economic value is created.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Is that true in the aggregate?

The New Yorker

But in the aggregate is there something else going on.

Forbes

The relationship between smoking and cancer is statistical; it becomes clear in the aggregate.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the aggregate" when you want to discuss the total or combined effect of multiple items or data points, rather than focusing on individual cases.

Common error

Avoid using "in the aggregate" when you're actually referring to a specific instance or individual element, as this phrase specifically addresses collective data or overall trends.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the aggregate" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that something is being considered as a whole or in total. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used to provide a summary or overall assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the aggregate" serves as an adverbial phrase used to describe something considered as a whole or in total. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Its primary function is to express a collective impact, often in statistical or analytical contexts. While the phrase is versatile, it's most common in neutral to formal writing, particularly within news, science, and business sectors. When aiming to convey a combined effect, consider using synonyms such as "overall" or "taken together" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taken together

Stresses the act of considering multiple items as a single unit.

as a whole

Refers to something considered as a complete unit, rather than individual parts.

overall

Focuses on the general or total effect, without necessarily implying a collection of individual items.

collectively

Highlights the combined action or effect of a group.

on the whole

Emphasizes a general assessment or summary after considering all aspects.

all in all

Summarizes a situation or result after considering all factors, often used to express a final judgment.

in total

Highlights the combined sum or quantity, emphasizing a numerical result.

by and large

Indicates a general statement that is mostly true, even if there are exceptions.

in summation

Suggests a brief recap of the core points or main ideas.

when all is said and done

Used to present a final conclusion after all considerations are made.

FAQs

How can I use "in the aggregate" in a sentence?

Use "in the aggregate" to describe a combined or overall effect. For example, "In the aggregate, the changes resulted in a significant improvement."

What's an alternative to saying "in the aggregate"?

You can use phrases like "overall", "on the whole", or "taken together" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "in the aggregate" or "overall"?

"In the aggregate" is best used when referring to the combined effect of multiple items or data points. "Overall" is a more general term that can be used to describe a general trend or assessment without necessarily implying a collection of individual instances.

What does "in the aggregate" mean in statistical analysis?

In statistical analysis, "in the aggregate" refers to analyzing data as a whole, rather than examining individual data points. This allows for identifying trends and patterns that may not be apparent when looking at individual data points separately.