makes a total of

USAGE SUMMARY

"makes a total of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a larger number that is the result of adding two or more smaller numbers together. For example: "He bought three apples and two pears, which makes a total of five pieces of fruit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

That makes a total of 2502 lives, not counting bystanders..

The New Yorker

That makes a total of 2502 lives, not counting bystanders.

The New Yorker

This makes a total of eight new or rebuilt theaters seating 1,291 patrons.

The New York Times

It makes a total of more than 4,000 so far this year.

The Guardian - Business

This makes a total of 80 points, though some value cards are usually out of play.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The report makes a total of 290 sweeping recommendations for healthcare regulators, providers and the Government.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

The Bushes made a total of $210,165 in charitable donations.

The New York Times

We have made a total of five arrests".

The Guardian - Sport

Repeat to make a total of 6 drinks.

The New York Times - Food

For an index fund, such as Vanguard Developed World the cost is 0.15%, making a total of 0.55%.

The Guardian - Money

Some 20,000 contributions have come to the Fund making a total of $449,000.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "makes a total of" when you want to clearly indicate the result of adding multiple numbers or quantities together. This phrase is effective for summarizing numerical information.

Common error

When using "makes a total of", ensure that if you've rounded intermediate values, you clarify that the final total is approximate. Otherwise, readers might assume a higher degree of precision than is actually present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "makes a total of" functions as a quantifying expression, indicating the result of an arithmetic operation. It is used to present a sum or aggregate value, as confirmed by Ludwig AI and the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

38%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "makes a total of" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to express the result of an addition or accumulation. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it functions as a quantifying expression, most frequently used in news and scientific contexts, and possesses a neutral register making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, clarity and precision are key, especially when dealing with rounded figures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amounts to a sum of

Rephrases the idea of totaling to focus on the final sum after calculation.

comes to a grand total of

Adds emphasis on the comprehensive and complete nature of the total.

results in an aggregate of

Uses more formal language to indicate the final collected amount.

adds up to a figure of

Highlights the process of addition leading to a specific numerical result.

represents a combined value of

Emphasizes that the total is a combination of individual values.

equates to a sum total of

Indicates that the final result is equivalent to the combined values.

culminates in a final count of

Focuses on the idea that the total is the end result of an accumulation.

yields a cumulative amount of

Implies that the total is the product of multiple contributing factors.

totals up to a number of

Simplifies the language to indicate a basic process of addition.

composes an overall sum of

Highlights how the individual parts come together to form the total.

FAQs

How can I use "makes a total of" in a sentence?

You can use "makes a total of" to indicate the result of an addition or cumulative calculation, for example: "Adding the expenses for travel and accommodation "makes a total of" $500".

What are some alternatives to "makes a total of"?

Alternatives include "amounts to", "comes to", or "adds up to", which can be used depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "makes a total of" and "results in"?

"Makes a total of" specifically refers to a sum or quantity, while "results in" has a broader meaning and can refer to any outcome or consequence, not just numerical ones.

How formal is the phrase "makes a total of"?

The phrase "makes a total of" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more sophisticated alternatives might be preferred in very formal writing.