sum-up

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "sum-up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a concise explanation or wrap-up of a larger topic. For example: At the end of the presentation, the presenter provided a brief sum-up of the key points.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Let's sum up here.

The New Yorker

2011 is especially difficult to sum up.

The New York Times - Food

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

How would you sum up this experience?

The Guardian

The judge will sum up tomorrow morning.

The Guardian

To sum up, shale may not happen.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is hard to sum up "Kingmakers".

The New York Times - Books

It appeared to sum up Wigan's fortunes.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sum-up" when you need a concise way to wrap up a conversation or discussion. It's suitable for both informal and semi-formal settings.

Common error

While "sum-up" is acceptable, prefer more formal alternatives like "summarize" or "recapitulate" in academic papers or official reports.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "sum-up" functions primarily as a verb indicating the action of providing a summary or concise overview. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's considered grammatically correct and understandable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "sum-up" is deemed grammatically correct by Ludwig AI, functioning to provide a concise overview or summary. While versatile, it may not always be appropriate for highly formal contexts, where single-word alternatives like "summarize" are preferred. Usage analysis from Ludwig examples indicates it appears frequently in news and media. To improve your writing, remember to tailor your choice to the appropriate register. Given its function, alternatives include "recap", "outline", or "give a synopsis".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

summarize

This is a single-word alternative for "sum-up", suitable for formal contexts.

recap

This implies a quick review, often used informally.

outline

This suggests providing a structured overview.

restate briefly

This is a more verbose but direct synonym.

give a synopsis

This implies a condensed summary, especially of a story or plot.

put in a nutshell

This idiom means to express something concisely.

give the gist

This focuses on conveying the main point or essence.

condense

This suggests shortening something while retaining its core content.

abstract

This implies creating a shorter version focusing on essential information.

get to the point

This focuses on directly reaching the main issue, often avoiding extraneous details.

FAQs

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

You can use "sum-up" to describe the act of providing a concise summary. For instance, "Let me "sum up" the main points of the meeting".

What are some alternatives to "sum-up"?

Alternatives include "summarize", "recap", or "outline", depending on the specific context.

Is "sum-up" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, it's often better to use more formal synonyms such as "summarize" or "recapitulate" in academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "sum-up" and "summarize"?

"Sum-up" is a phrasal verb that implies a more casual and conversational summarization, while "summarize" is a single-word verb that is more appropriate for formal contexts.