on the total

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the total" is not commonly used in standard written English and may be considered awkward or incorrect.
It can be used in contexts where one is summarizing or concluding a total amount or result, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "On the total, we spent more than we had budgeted for the project."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The one-time payment is based on the total estimated annual savings.

The New York Times

"The focus is on the total infant," he continued.

The New York Times - Health

– rather than on the total number of people per se.

The Guardian - Books

There was no official confirmation on the total number of dead and missing.

The Guardian

Q: People think the tax will be paid on the total value of the property.

The Guardian

This sets a limit on the total carbon that we can burn.

The Guardian

No word from police on the total number of arrests yet.

The Guardian

Lenders add the cost to the loan and calculate interest based on the total sum.

The Guardian - Business

A final report on the total costs was not expected for a few weeks.

The New York Times

You need someone to keep an eye on the total picture.

The New York Times - Health

The contract was negotiated based on the total cost of the project.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically sound, consider using more common and concise alternatives like "in total" or "overall" for improved clarity and flow.

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "on the total" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise language, such as "in aggregate" or specific numerical summaries, to enhance the professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the total" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb or clause. It serves to introduce a summary or conclusion based on an aggregation of elements. Ludwig's examples shows it's mostly used with numerical results or costs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on the total" is a prepositional phrase used to introduce a summary or overall assessment, often involving numerical values. While grammatically acceptable, it's less common than alternatives like "in total" or "overall". According to Ludwig, it's used in neutral contexts, appearing frequently in news and scientific articles. For improved clarity and flow, especially in formal writing, consider these more concise alternatives. While acceptable, the Ludwig AI suggests mindful use of "on the total", weighing its appropriateness against more common alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in total

More concise and commonly used alternative to indicate the sum or aggregate.

overall

Indicates a general or comprehensive view, similar to considering the total.

altogether

Emphasizes the combined or collective nature of the total.

in the aggregate

More formal way to express the total or combined amount.

taken as a whole

Focuses on considering all parts together to form a complete picture.

cumulatively

Highlights the accumulation or aggregation of individual elements to reach a total.

all in all

Summarizes a situation by considering all factors together.

in summation

Indicates a concluding summary or total assessment.

in its entirety

Focuses on the complete and undivided aspect of something.

considering everything

Implies taking all factors into account to reach an overall conclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "on the total" in a sentence?

You can use "on the total" to summarize or conclude a total amount or result. For example: "On the total, we spent more than we had budgeted."

What can I say instead of "on the total"?

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

Which is correct, "on the total" or "in total"?

Both phrases are grammatically acceptable, but "in total" is generally preferred and more commonly used in standard English.

What's the difference between "on the total" and "on the whole"?

"On the total" refers to a sum or aggregate amount, while "on the whole" refers to a general or comprehensive view.