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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
sum over
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"sum over" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used in mathematics or statistics to indicate the addition of multiple values. Example: The total cost can be calculated by summing over the individual expenses. In this sentence, "summing over" means adding together all of the individual expenses to find the total cost.
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Alternative expressions(1)
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
56 human-written examples
However, such improvements do not sum over space.
Science
Therefore, we modify the average in equation 2 to sum over only the non-singleton counts.
Science
The integrals are to "sum over" all possible values of the underlying allele frequencies.
Science
Although our results indicate that a linear term can improve local motion estimation, its benefits do not sum over space.
Science
It is however not necessary for shared v, v') to sum over all subtrees of v and v'.
This money is the only sum over which these people have any control.
News & Media
Those fees can compound into a large sum over 30 years.
News & Media
Perhaps the commercial influence of MLS and SUM over Concacaf will add to the pressure for reform of that competition?
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
3 human-written examples
The proposed algorithms can then be modified by including additional sum-over-trips rules.
Here, we propose to realise the sum-over-trips framework by a length-priority method.
We have introduced a novel sum-over-histories method for solving the network history inference problem.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "sum over" in mathematical writing, ensure the index or range of summation is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.
Common error
Avoid using "sum over" in contexts that do not involve actual addition or accumulation. For example, do not use "sum over" when you mean "consider" or "review".
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "sum over" functions as a mathematical verb phrase, indicating the operation of adding a set of values. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in contexts where aggregation or total calculation is needed.
Frequent in
Science
70%
News & Media
20%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "sum over" is a mathematically precise expression used to describe the addition of a set of values. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it is grammatically correct and most frequently appears in scientific and technical contexts. When using "sum over", ensure clarity in defining the range of summation. While versatile, avoid misapplication outside of quantitative scenarios. Consider alternatives like "aggregate across" or "compute the total of" for specific nuances. In summary, "sum over" serves as a valuable tool in mathematical and scientific communication, but mindful application ensures accurate and effective writing.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
calculate the sum of
More verbose way to express the same operation using "calculate" instead of "sum".
determine the sum total of
Adds "total" for emphasis. More emphatic and slightly more formal.
aggregate across
Replaces "sum" with "aggregate" and "over" with "across", changing the action verb and preposition while maintaining the meaning of combining values.
find the aggregate of
Uses "aggregate" as a noun, indicating the result of a summing process.
totalize across
Uses "totalize" to mean to find the total, paired with "across" for distribution.
accumulate over
Emphasizes the building-up aspect of summation. More dynamic than "sum".
compute the total of
Rephrases the action as computing a total, rather than directly summing. It's less concise.
consolidate across
Implies combining and simplifying. Suited for situations where initial values are simplified while being combined.
add up all
An informal way of expressing summation. Suitable for less formal contexts.
overall calculation
Focuses on the result of the calculation as opposed to the action of summing itself. Suitable for context where we care more about the final number rather than the methodology.
FAQs
How do I use "sum over" in a sentence?
The phrase "sum over" is used to indicate the addition of a series of values. For example, "We need to "calculate the sum of" all the data points in the dataset" or "The total energy is found by "aggregating across" all frequencies".
What is a more formal way to say "sum over"?
In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "compute the total of" or "determine the sum total of" to express the same mathematical operation with greater precision.
Can "sum over" be used in non-mathematical contexts?
While primarily used in mathematics and statistics, "sum over" can be metaphorically extended to mean 'consider comprehensively', though this usage is less common. You should be very precise and conscious to avoid ambiguity.
What is the difference between "sum over" and "accumulate across"?
"Sum over" specifically indicates the addition of discrete values, while "accumulate across" suggests a gradual increase or collection. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the additive process or the resulting accumulation.
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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