round up

USAGE SUMMARY

"round up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to mean either to assemble individuals (usually all members of a group) in one central location, or to estimate and calculate a total amount. For example: "Our teacher will round us up in the auditorium for the school assembly." or "Let's round up our expenses for the year to see what our total was."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Let's round up the gays.

The New York Times

Let's round up the blacks.

The New York Times

Chickens are easy to round up".

The New York Times

Her job is to round up votes.

The Economist

Retailers would round up or down.

The New York Times

Round up some black extras!

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Includes Round-Up Banquet programs.

Cornell University

A round-up is in order:Macedonia.

The Economist

Another regulatory round-up by Mark Thoma.

The Economist

So here's a round-up.

The Guardian - Travel

Australia's day three round-up.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When estimating costs, "round up" to the nearest dollar or higher to ensure you have enough budget to cover unexpected expenses.

Common error

Avoid using "round up" when a precise figure is needed. For example, when providing tax information, it's crucial to provide the exact amount and not "round up" or estimate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "round up" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It can mean to gather or collect people or things, as Ludwig shows in several examples. It can also mean to increase a number to the nearest whole number.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

22%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "round up" is a versatile phrasal verb with two primary meanings: to gather people or things and to increase a number. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is commonly found in News & Media, Wiki, and Academia. When writing, be mindful of the context; avoid using "round up" when precision is required. For those seeking alternatives, consider options like "gather together" or "approximate upward" depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gather together

Focuses on the act of collecting into one place; less specific regarding initial dispersion.

collect

Emphasizes the act of accumulating items, without necessarily implying a surrounding action.

assemble

Suggests a more formal or organized gathering of people or things.

bring together

Highlights the action of uniting dispersed entities.

muster

Implies gathering forces or resources, often for a specific purpose.

approximate upward

Specifically refers to the mathematical sense of increasing a number to the next whole value.

estimate high

Implies making a generous assessment or forecast, often for precautionary measures.

total

Focuses on calculating the sum, often implying all parts have been accounted for.

accumulate

Suggests a gradual increase or build-up over time; doesn't necessarily involve actively rounding up.

compute

Emphasizes the act of mathematically calculating something, often precisely.

FAQs

How do I use "round up" in a sentence?

You can use "round up" to mean gathering people, as in, "Let's round up the team for a meeting." Or, it can mean increasing a number, as in, "Round up the price to the nearest dollar."

What is a mathematical synonym for "round up"?

A mathematical synonym for "round up" is "approximate upward", which specifically refers to increasing a number to the next whole value.

When is it inappropriate to "round up" numbers?

It is inappropriate to "round up" numbers when you need to provide an exact amount. For example, when providing tax information, the system requires the precise dollar and cents amount. You cannot "estimate high".

Are there alternative phrases for "round up" when meaning to gather people?

Yes, when "round up" means to gather people, you can use alternatives like "gather together", "collect", or "assemble" depending on the context.