of a total of

USAGE SUMMARY

"of a total of" is correct and can be used in written English.
"Of a total of" is usually followed by a number that is used to give further detail or emphasis to the situation being discussed. Example: Of a total of 45 students in the class, only 10 passed the exam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Seven homes are available out of a total of 71.

The New York Times

Seven men were found guilty of a total of 43 charges relating to six victims.

The Guardian

Bishop Murphy was cited in 1 out of a total of 84 suits in Boston.

The New York Times

3: Women's football finals out of a total of four settled only in extra time.

The Guardian - Sport

Of a total of 58 conductors at this year's Proms, five have been women.

The Guardian - Music

A measly half dozen out of a total of two hundred and thirty-seven Republicans.

The New Yorker

"This involves the resettlement of a total of 1.8 million workers.

The Guardian - Business

Prosecutors said Mr. Rocancourt sweet-talked people out of a total of $1.3 million.

The New York Times

In 2013, 22,510 social homes were built, out of a total of 109,640 newbuilds.

The Guardian - Money

AT&T itself, still has 36,000 union workers of a total of 145,000 employees.

The New York Times

It opened in 2012 with 105 pupils out of a total of 312 places.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "of a total of" when you want to clearly introduce a final quantity or sum, especially after mentioning individual components or contributing factors. This provides a sense of closure and overall context to the numerical information.

Common error

Avoid using "total" redundantly, such as in phrases like "a total of total" or "the total total". Simply use "of a total of" or rephrase to eliminate the extra "total".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of a total of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a quantity representing the sum or entirety. It serves to specify the overall number or amount in relation to other figures or proportions. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this function across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "of a total of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to introduce a total quantity or sum. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s considered correct in written English. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, it provides clarity and emphasis when specifying overall figures. While alternatives like "in total" or "altogether" exist, "of a total of" offers a slightly more formal tone and is effective in avoiding redundancy with the word "total". It is important to consider these nuances to ensure precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with a total of

This version puts more emphasis on specifying that there is a totality for a stated amount.

for a total of

This phrase slightly shifts the focus onto the cumulative amount.

in total

This alternative is shorter and more direct, omitting the preposition 'of'.

amounting to

This indicates that several items or amounts add up to the final tally.

totalling

This single word acts as a verb, streamlining the expression of total quantity.

altogether

This term indicates the sum of all parts, replacing the need for 'of a total of'.

a sum of

This focuses on the calculated amount, similar to the idea of totalling something.

a grand total of

This variation emphasizes that you're speaking of a final, overall sum.

the entirety of

This alternative suggests the completeness of the quantity mentioned.

constituting

This describes something being part of a bigger picture or a complete collection of something.

FAQs

How do I use "of a total of" in a sentence?

Use "of a total of" to introduce a specific quantity that represents the sum or entirety of something. For example, "Of a total of 100 students, 60 passed the exam".

What can I say instead of "of a total of"?

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

Is it redundant to say "a total of total"?

Yes, saying "a total of total" is redundant. It's better to simply use "of a total of" followed by the number or rephrase to avoid the repetition.

Which is more formal, "of a total of" or "in total"?

"Of a total of" can be perceived as slightly more formal than "in total", but both are generally acceptable in most writing contexts. The choice depends on the overall tone and style of your writing.