in total terms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in total terms" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the overall or aggregate amount or perspective of something. Example: "In total terms, the project's budget exceeded our initial estimates by 20%."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In total terms, not adjusting for the effect of new store openings, sales rose by 1.9% in July, also the strongest growth since January.

The Guardian - Business

Sales were flat on a year ago in total terms, which does not adjust for the effect of new store openings.

The Guardian - Business

Takings in April were flat on a year ago in total terms, which does not adjust for the effect of new store openings, as a drop in fashion sales offset a rare rise in food sales, the BRC said.

The Guardian - Business

Increasing life quality of countries influences popularity of on board employments and its cost has crucial share in total terms.

The Asian Journal of Shipping and Logistics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Caterpillar spokesman Jim Dugan said in a statement that the anticipated reduction in short-term incentive pay for 2013 would "impact Doug Oberhelman's compensation significantly in total cash terms".

Huffington Post

In total value terms, America still manufactures almost as much as China.

The New York Times

In total dollar terms, the trend reversal is equally striking.

TechCrunch

In total, 40,228 terms were added by this step.

Genome Medicine

In total, 58 terms are simultaneously significant in both network comparisons.

BMC Systems Biology

Mr. Leupp said the partnerships' debt of $1 billion to $1.5 billion was "not much in comparison to Cendant's $10 billion to $11 billion in total long-term debt".

The New York Times

Scrum-half Kessell, 24, has touched down eight times in the league, and 12 in total this term.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in total terms" when you want to emphasize the overall or aggregate perspective, rather than individual components. This is particularly useful when comparing different aspects of a situation or assessing the impact of multiple factors.

Common error

Avoid using "in total terms" when "in absolute terms" is more appropriate. "In absolute terms" refers to the actual, unadjusted value, while "in total terms" refers to the overall or aggregate amount, which might be composed of different elements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in total terms" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the scope or perspective being considered. It indicates that a statement applies to the entirety of something, rather than to individual parts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in total terms" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to provide an overall or aggregate perspective. According to Ludwig, its usage is generally neutral to formal, appearing in contexts such as news reports and scientific publications. While "in total terms" is not exceptionally common, it serves to contextualize information, offering a comprehensive assessment. Consider alternatives like "overall" or "in aggregate" depending on the desired level of formality and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overall

A simpler alternative that emphasizes the comprehensive nature of a value or assessment.

in aggregate

Similar in meaning, but often used in more formal or statistical contexts.

taken as a whole

Highlights considering all aspects or components together, offering a slightly more descriptive approach.

in totality

Emphasizes the completeness of the consideration, often used in legal or philosophical contexts.

when all is said and done

Indicates a final assessment after considering all factors, adding a touch of conclusiveness.

all told

A concise way to indicate a sum or total after accounting for everything.

on the whole

Suggests a general assessment, allowing for minor exceptions or variations.

considering everything

More explicit, emphasizing the process of taking all elements into account.

in gross

Focuses on the total amount before deductions, often used in financial contexts.

in summary

Signals a condensed overview of the main points, providing a concluding perspective.

FAQs

What does "in total terms" mean?

The phrase "in total terms" means considering everything together; looking at the overall or aggregate amount rather than individual components. It's used to emphasize a comprehensive perspective.

How can I use "in total terms" in a sentence?

You might use "in total terms" like this: "In total terms, the project's budget exceeded initial estimates by 20%."

What are some alternatives to "in total terms"?

Alternatives include "overall", "in aggregate", or "taken as a whole". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "in total terms" and "in absolute terms"?

Yes, "in total terms" refers to an aggregate view, while "in absolute terms" refers to a specific, unadjusted value. For example, sales might be down "in percentage terms" but still high "in absolute terms".