sum up

USAGE SUMMARY

"sum up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to concisely summarize the main points of a discussion or argument. For example, "After a long discussion about the new sales strategy, the team leader summed up the key points for everyone to remember."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Let's sum up here.

The New Yorker

It seemed to sum up the night.

The Guardian

Let me sum up the debate.

The Guardian - Opinion

The prosecution would sum up on Monday.

The New Yorker

Or, to sum up: Renaissance man.

The New York Times

Now sum up your scores.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Summing up, the C.E.O.

The New Yorker

Summing Up: Highly recommended.

Cornell University

Summing Up: Recommended.

Cornell University

Summing up: Highly recommended.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Summing Up: Essential.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sum up" in formal writing, ensure the summary accurately reflects the original content and is free of personal bias. This enhances credibility and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "sum up" to introduce vague or overly broad summaries that don't provide specific insights or key takeaways. Ensure your summary offers concrete points.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sum up" functions as a phrasal verb, primarily used to introduce a concise summary or conclusion. Ludwig AI validates this usage, confirming its role in condensing information. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its deployment across diverse contexts, from news articles to academic papers.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "sum up" serves as a practical and common phrasal verb used to introduce summaries across various contexts. As validated by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and primarily found in news and media, as well as academic settings. While acceptable in formal writing, consider more sophisticated synonyms like "to summarize" for an elevated tone. Remember to avoid vague overgeneralizations and ensure your summaries provide concrete, insightful points. With its versatility, "sum up" remains a useful tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

summarize briefly

Focuses on brevity in summarizing.

recapitulate succinctly

Emphasizes a more formal and concise restatement of key points.

outline the main points

Highlights the act of presenting the primary ideas in a structured manner.

provide a synopsis

Suggests a short description of the content.

give a rundown

Offers a more informal, quick summary.

present a digest

Implies condensing information into an easily digestible form.

draw a conclusion

Highlights the act of reaching a final judgement or summary.

encapsulate the essence

Focuses on capturing the most important and fundamental aspects.

review the highlights

Emphasizes revisiting the most important elements.

shorten to the main themes

Shorten to the main themes, is more focus to a concise and essential.

FAQs

How can I use "sum up" effectively in a sentence?

Use "sum up" to introduce a concise summary of previously discussed information. For example, "To "sum up", the key findings suggest..."

What are some alternatives to "sum up" that I can use in my writing?

You can use alternatives like "summarize", "recapitulate", or "outline" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "sum up" in formal academic writing?

Yes, "sum up" is acceptable, but consider using more formal alternatives like "in conclusion" or "to summarize" for a more sophisticated tone.

What is the difference between "sum up" and "summarize"?

"Sum up" is a phrasal verb that means to give a brief summary. "Summarize" is a more formal verb with the same meaning. They are largely interchangeable, but "summarize" is often preferred in academic or professional contexts.