sum total of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sum total of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the entirety or complete amount of something, often in a mathematical or figurative context. Example: "The sum total of all contributions to the charity event exceeded our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"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

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 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

"That's the sum total of my interaction with her.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sum total of" when you want to emphasize the completeness or finality of a calculation or aggregation. It adds a touch of emphasis compared to simply using "total".

Common error

Avoid using "sum total of" when the context already clearly indicates a final calculation. For instance, saying "the sum total of the final bill" is unnecessarily redundant; "the final bill" is sufficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sum total of" primarily functions as a determiner phrase. It modifies a noun to specify the entire quantity or amount. As shown by Ludwig, it emphasizes the completeness of the calculated amount, reinforcing its function of specifying an absolute.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sum total of" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for emphasizing the completeness of a calculated amount. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable across various contexts, particularly in news and media, where stressing the finality or comprehensiveness is key. While versatile, avoid redundancy by not adding "amount" after it or using it in contexts where completeness is already implied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete sum of

Reorders the words but maintains a very close semantic equivalence.

total amount of

Replaces "sum" with "amount", simplifying the expression while retaining the core meaning of a complete quantity.

overall total of

Adds "overall" for emphasis, highlighting that the total encompasses everything being considered.

combined total of

Highlights that the total results from combining multiple elements.

grand total of

Emphasizes the final and complete nature of the total, often used in financial contexts.

aggregate of

More formal and implies a collection of items combined into a single quantity or value.

net total of

Suggests a total after deductions or adjustments have been made.

entirety of

Shifts focus to completeness rather than numerical calculation, emphasizing the whole.

the whole of

A more concise and slightly less formal way to express the entirety.

full extent of

Emphasizes the degree or scope of something, rather than a numerical sum.

FAQs

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

The phrase "sum total of" is used to emphasize the entirety or complete amount. For example: "The "sum total of" the damages was higher than expected."

What phrases are similar to "sum total of"?

Alternatives include "total amount of", "overall total of", or "aggregate of", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it redundant to say "sum total amount of"?

Yes, using "sum total amount of" is redundant. The phrase "sum total of" already implies an amount, so adding "amount" is unnecessary. Use either ""sum total of"" or "total amount of".

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

"Sum total of" emphasizes the completeness or finality of a calculation, whereas "total" is a more general term for the result of addition. The former is slightly more emphatic.