reaching a total of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reaching a total of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about reaching a certain amount, as in "The team sold 300 tickets, reaching a total of $1200."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The steady expansion spanned Democratic as well as Republican administrations, reaching a total of $2.2 trillion in 2001.

The New York Times

To seek additional capacity of 50,000, reaching a total of 100,000 along the western Balkans route and Greece.

The Guardian

Their twin businesses flourished, reaching a total of 4,000 stores in Germany and nearly 6,000 abroad.

The Guardian - Business

By 2011, China was reckoned to be topping off a new skyscraper (500ft or taller) every five days, reaching a total of 800 by 2016.

The Guardian

In September the state added 7,500 jobs, mostly in service industries, the department said, reaching a total of 3,943,900.

The New York Times

Second, the United States military has locked up almost 16,000 Iraqi men since the beginning of the surge, many more than it has released, reaching a total of nearly 26,000.

The New York Times

They also predict that in 2017 electronic home video will overtake the traditional cinema as the biggest contributor to total film revenue in the US, reaching a total of $17bn the following year – double the $8.5bn the sector currently generates.

The Guardian - Film

Even so, it continued to expand faster than the overall economy, reaching a total of $2.2 trillion in 2007, or 16.2percentt of the gross domestic product, a record.

The New York Times

The partners have the potential, Intuit said, of reaching a total of 20 million tax filers via the Internet with information that includes 1099 and W-2 forms, as well as data like interest income, dividend income, and stock sales.

The New York Times

Steven Erlanger IRELAND: POPULATION GROWING -- Ireland marked its tenth successive year of population growth, reaching a total of 3.79 million people in the year to last April, the highest level since 1881.

The New York Times

The major his talent promised has not materialised but the wins continued, reaching a total of 42 around the world and making Westwood the highest earner in the history of the European Tour with prize money north of £25m.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reaching a total of", ensure that the subject you're describing logically leads to a quantifiable result. For example, "The donations kept coming in, reaching a total of $5,000."

Common error

Avoid using "reaching a total of" with abstract or non-numerical concepts. It's incorrect to say "The discussion reached a total of understanding"; instead, use phrases like "resulted in" or "led to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reaching a total of" functions as a verb phrase indicating the attainment of a specific numerical quantity or sum. Ludwig's examples showcase its usage in various contexts, highlighting this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

7%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reaching a total of" is a grammatically sound and versatile verb phrase commonly used to denote the attainment of a specific numerical quantity or sum. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While alternatives like "amounting to" and "totaling" exist, "reaching a total of" often emphasizes the process of arriving at the final sum. It's important to use it with quantifiable concepts and ensure the subject logically leads to a numerical result. With a neutral register and frequent occurrence, this phrase is a valuable tool for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amounting to

Emphasizes the final sum or quantity achieved.

totaling

Highlights the action of summing up to a specific value.

adding up to

Focuses on the process of accumulation leading to the final sum.

coming to a sum of

Similar to "adding up to" but with a slightly more formal tone.

equaling

Highlights the final value being equivalent to a specific amount.

accumulating to

Stresses the gradual increase leading to the final amount.

aggregated to

Implies a more complex or formal process of gathering and summing.

tallying up to

Suggests a detailed or itemized process of counting and summing.

culminating in

Highlights the final result as a high point or climax.

coming in at

Informal way to express achieving certain number or measurement.

FAQs

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

Use "reaching a total of" to describe the attainment of a specific numerical quantity, such as "The fundraising campaign succeeded, "reaching a total of" $10,000".

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

You can use alternatives such as "amounting to", "totaling", or "adding up to", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "reaching a total of understanding"?

No, it's incorrect. "Reaching a total of" should be used with quantifiable amounts. For abstract outcomes like understanding, use phrases like "resulting in" or "leading to".

What's the difference between "reaching a total of" and "amounting to"?

"Reaching a total of" emphasizes the process of arriving at a sum, while "amounting to" simply states the final quantity. They are often interchangeable but have slightly different nuances.