sum out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sum out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in mathematical or statistical contexts to refer to the process of calculating the total or aggregate of a set of numbers or values. Example: "To find the total expenses for the month, we need to sum out all the individual costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Write the sum out neatly.

WikiHow

Whether you imagine writing the sum out, or count objects, visualising the calculation can make it easier to solve.

WikiHow

Turkey and Syria have both made a tidy sum out of purchasing illicit Iraqi oil at knockdown prices.

The Economist

In just two days she had hustled a seven-figure sum out of her admirers on Wall Street and the project was a goer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I think it's sensible to question whether, in context of the UK's diminished importance on the world stage, both militarily and economically, it's still appropriate to spend a very large sum out of the public purse on new submarines.

The Guardian

Asked whether it was conceivable that the total bill could reach €60bn, she did not dismiss the sum out of hand, However, Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, has previously said Brussels can "go whistle" for such an amount.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The university also reached a $4.85 million civil settlement with DuBose's family, but have only paid about $100,000 of that sum out-of-pocket, reports the Enquirer.

HuffPost

Savers can withdraw the whole fund at once, or take sums out as allowed by their pension provider.

The Guardian - Money

She breezily added up columns of numbers in her head, while reciting sums out loud so the students could follow along.

The New York Times

Our hiking guide, Hans, sums out what draws people to the Santa Fe: "You don't really move here to make a big living.

HuffPost

Third, while the hidden variables model the 'clean' signals, they are summed out and not directly used for sequence comparison.

Bioinformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sum out" in mathematical contexts, ensure the terms being summed are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, in financial statements, specify which line items are being summed to arrive at a particular total.

Common error

Avoid using "sum out" in contexts where a simple addition or totaling is needed. The phrase is best suited for scenarios where you are extracting a final value after a series of calculations or considerations.

Linguistic Context

Grammatical Function: "Sum out" functions as a phrasal verb. Ludwig examples show it being used to describe the process of calculating a total or aggregate from a set of numbers or values. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

26%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sum out" is a grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe calculating a total or aggregate from a set of values. While not exceedingly common, it appears in various contexts, including news, science, and wiki articles, making it a versatile expression. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Related phrases include "calculate the total" and "aggregate the values". When using "sum out", ensure the context is appropriate, specifying which elements are being combined. Overall, "sum out" is a useful phrase for describing computational processes, though simpler alternatives may be preferred in casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

calculate the total

Focuses on the arithmetic aspect of finding the total value.

aggregate the values

Emphasizes combining individual values into a single, collective sum.

total up

A more informal way to say calculate the sum.

compute the sum

Highlights the computational aspect of finding the total.

find the aggregate

Stresses finding a collective amount from individual items.

determine the total

Focuses on the process of establishing the final amount.

work out the sum

Implies a process of calculating or solving to get the sum.

add up

A simple and direct way to refer to the calculation of a sum.

itemize and total

Involves listing individual items before calculating the total.

consolidate into a sum

Suggests combining multiple elements into a single total.

FAQs

What does "sum out" mean?

The phrase "sum out" refers to the process of calculating a total or aggregate from a set of values. It often implies extracting a final value after several considerations or calculations.

When is it appropriate to use "sum out"?

Use "sum out" when you want to describe calculating a total, especially when it involves multiple steps or considerations. It is suitable for contexts where you are aggregating values or extracting a final figure.

What can I say instead of "sum out"?

You can use alternatives like "calculate the total", "aggregate the values", or "total up" depending on the context.

Is "sum out" formal or informal?

The phrase "sum out" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in technical or mathematical discussions. In general conversation, simpler terms like "add up" might be preferred.