in total

USAGE SUMMARY

"in total" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the sum or total of all parts of a statement. For example, "We raised $1,000 from ticket sales, $800 from online donations, and $500 from private donations, in total raising $2,300."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Twelve sites in total.

The New York Times

In total darkness.

The New Yorker

That's £90 in total.

The Guardian - Sport

The marriage in total".

The New Yorker

He's in total control.

The New York Times - Sports

"You're in total control".

The New York Times - Sports

Kissinger: In total hypocrisy.

The New Yorker

In total.

The New York Times

"We are in total agreement".

The New York Times - Sports

I am in total despair".

Independent

I reprint it in total.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in total" to clearly indicate the sum of multiple values or items, ensuring your audience understands the final quantity being referenced.

Common error

Avoid using "totally" when you mean "in total". "Totally" implies completely or absolutely, while "in total" specifies a numerical sum. For example, use "We spent $500 in total" not "We spent totally $500".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in total" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the sum or aggregate quantity. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used to express the complete amount resulting from a calculation or accumulation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

6%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in total" serves as a straightforward way to indicate the sum of multiple items or values. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted, with a neutral tone suitable for a broad audience. Found frequently in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, it's most commonly used in news and media contexts, alongside science and wiki articles. While alternatives like "altogether" or "sum total" exist, "in total" offers a clear and concise means of conveying final quantities, ensuring your writing remains both accessible and precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

altogether

Focuses on the collective nature of the sum, rather than a calculation.

sum total

Highlights the result of an addition or accumulation process.

in sum

Suggests a concise summary or conclusion.

amounting to

States the resulting quantity or value.

collectively

Emphasizes the group or collection contributing to the total.

taken together

Implies considering individual elements as a single unit.

totaling

Focuses on the action of reaching a total number or amount.

all told

A more informal and conversational way to express the total.

grand total

Emphasizes the final and complete sum.

in the aggregate

More formal, often used in statistical or economic contexts.

FAQs

How to use "in total" in a sentence?

The phrase "in total" is typically used to indicate the sum or overall quantity of something. For instance, "There were 20 people at the party, 12 adults and 8 children "in total"."

What can I say instead of "in total"?

You can use alternatives like "altogether", "in sum", or "sum total" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "totaling" instead of "in total"?

While "totaling" can sometimes replace "in total", it's more often used to describe the process of adding up to a specific amount, rather than stating the final amount itself. For example, "The expenses "totaling" $500" is more appropriate than "The expenses were $500 "in total"".

What's the difference between "in total" and "overall"?

"In total" is used to refer to a numerical sum. "Overall" means considering everything or generally. You would say "The cost "in total" was $100". You would say ""Overall", the project was a success".