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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
some sum of
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "some sum of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an unspecified amount or total of something, often in mathematical or financial contexts. Example: "The project requires some sum of money to get started, but we are still determining the exact amount needed."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
3 human-written examples
We therefore know that there is some sum of the two pressings (S).
Science
Moving on, Ford is doubling-down on its wager that mobility means more than cars, this time picking up Spin for some sum of money between $40 and $100 million, with most figures coming in a bit light from the nine-figure range.
News & Media
He likely had beyond basic education, and some sum of money when he left Bledzew and traveled to Warsaw.
Wiki
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
In the proof of Theorem 4, some sums of the type ∑ j ℓ [ K ( Q ) ] Open image in new window will be estimated.
Science
To pretend otherwise — i.e. to argue that there's some single sum-of-all-knowledge platform where everyone's information is supposed to perpetuate ad infinitum is the skewed view here.
News & Media
However, Mr Letwin told The Independent on Sunday: "It's not the case that I have ever made any promise to give some huge sum of money to Kids Company.
News & Media
This means that, if x and y are real numbers and both x, y > 0, then x + x +⋯+ x > y for some finite sum of x's.
Encyclopedias
It is found that the semi-circular pipe may become unstable when the fluctuation frequency approaches some multiples or sum of the out-of-plane natural frequencies.
But using Jensen's inequality we can bound the quotient by some appropriately weighted sum of three terms and then use a similar scaling argument as for (p=2).
Some advocate a sum of all the individual components assessed.
In some individuals, the sum of analyzed pyrethroids (∑PYR) exceeded the ∑DDT (sum of DDT and metabolites).
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "some sum of", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being summed. For instance, specify "some sum of money", "some sum of efforts", etc., for clarity.
Common error
Avoid using "some sum of" without specifying the elements being added. For example, instead of saying "The project requires some sum of resources", be more precise: "The project requires some sum of financial and human resources."
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "some sum of" functions primarily as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates its usage to denote an unspecified amount or quantity derived from a summation, whether literal or figurative.
Frequent in
Science
50%
News & Media
37%
Wiki
13%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "some sum of" is a valid phrase used to refer to an unspecified quantity or total, often when derived from multiple sources. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and most commonly found in scientific and news-related contexts. Though relatively infrequent in general usage, as demonstrated by the limited number of examples provided by Ludwig, it serves a clear purpose in indicating an approximate amount resulting from addition or accumulation. Remember to provide specific information whenever possible to avoid vagueness. When in doubt, consider alternatives like "a certain amount of" or "a particular total of", based on the context.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
a certain amount of
This alternative focuses on specifying an indefinite quantity rather than implying addition.
a particular total of
This alternative uses 'total' to emphasize the final result and 'particular' to convey specificity.
an unspecified quantity of
This alternative explicitly indicates that the amount is not precisely defined.
a given quantity of
This alternative is more formal and emphasizes that the quantity is already established or available.
a portion of the total
This alternative refers to a fraction of a greater total, specifying that it is not the complete sum.
a certain aggregate of
Using 'aggregate' to mean the total amount, this phrase is more formal and less common.
a specific accumulation of
This highlights the process of accumulating to reach the sum, implying a buildup over time.
a calculated amount of
This focuses on the fact that the amount has been determined through calculation.
a defined quantity of
The use of 'defined' suggests that the amount is clearly specified within a particular context or system.
an estimated volume of
This alternative highlights the approximate nature of the sum, suggesting it is not precise.
FAQs
How can I use "some sum of" in a sentence?
You can use "some sum of" to refer to an unspecified quantity or total. For example, "The investigation revealed "some sum of money" was missing from the account".
What phrases are similar to "some sum of"?
Similar phrases include "a certain amount of", "an unspecified quantity of", or "a particular total of". The best choice depends on the context.
Is it more formal to say "some sum of" or "a certain amount of"?
"Some sum of" is generally considered neutral in formality. "A certain amount of" is also fairly neutral and interchangeable in most contexts.
When is it appropriate to use "some sum of" over other similar phrases?
Use "some sum of" when you want to emphasize that a total results from adding multiple components, even if the exact components or amounts are not specified. It is especially useful when a literal summation has taken place.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested