sum total

USAGE SUMMARY

"sum total" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the total, aggregate, or combined amount of something. For example, "The sum total of money donated to the charity was over $5,000."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet the sum total is very Chinese.

The New York Times - Arts

This is the sum total of our relationship.

The Guardian - Tech

The sum total of these new welfare processes is bleak.

The Guardian

"That was the sum total of due diligence".

The Guardian

And yet it has a sum total of zero nominations.

The Guardian - Film

The sum total of these failures had hastened his death.

The New Yorker

That was the sum total of my female reading.

The Guardian - Books

And the sum total of all this is improvement?

The Guardian

That's the sum total of his experience of Woodstock.

The Guardian - Music

That was the sum total of their conversation.

The New Yorker

The sum total of that is a mess.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sum total" to clearly indicate the final result after adding all relevant components. For clarity, specify what elements contribute to the "sum total".

Common error

Avoid using "sum total" in contexts where "total" alone suffices. "The total cost" is often more concise than "the sum total cost".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sum total" functions as a noun phrase that specifies the final amount or result obtained by adding together all constituent elements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound expression used to denote completeness or comprehensiveness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sum total" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the final amount or result after combining all elements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's essential to avoid redundancy by ensuring that "total" alone doesn't suffice. Alternatives like "aggregate amount" or "overall amount" can provide similar meanings with slightly different emphasis. Remember to use "sum total" when you want to clearly indicate a comprehensive aggregation, as in "The "sum total" of our experiences shaped who we are today".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entire sum

Adds "entire" for emphasis, underscoring that all parts are included in the total.

aggregate amount

Replaces "sum" with "aggregate", focusing on the collection of individual units into a whole.

total quantity

Substitutes "sum" with "quantity", highlighting the numerical aspect of the total.

combined total

Highlights the act of combining different elements to reach a final count.

overall amount

Emphasizes the encompassing nature of the total, using "overall" to indicate a comprehensive view.

grand total

Implies a final calculation or comprehensive tally, often used in financial contexts.

final amount

Emphasizes that the amount is the end result after all calculations or additions.

complete aggregate

Combines "complete" and "aggregate", stressing both thoroughness and collection.

total figure

Replaces "sum" with "figure", often used in statistical or numerical reporting.

cumulative sum

Suggests a gradual accumulation of elements over time or stages.

FAQs

How can I use "sum total" in a sentence?

You can use "sum total" to refer to the final amount or result after all elements have been added together. For example, "The "sum total" of their efforts resulted in a significant improvement."

What phrases are similar to "sum total"?

Similar phrases include "aggregate amount", "total quantity", and "overall amount", which all convey the idea of a final, comprehensive result.

Is it redundant to say "sum total amount"?

Yes, "amount" is often implied or understood when using "sum total". It's generally more concise to simply say ""sum total"" or "total amount".

What's the difference between "sum total" and "grand total"?

"Grand total" often implies a final tally, especially in financial contexts, while ""sum total"" is a more general term for the final result after adding all components.