summed up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "summed up" is correct and usable in written English.
It usually means to express something in a brief or condensed manner. For example, "The main points of the speech can be summed up in three simple sentences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sport

Books

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Holroyd summed up his vision.

Independent

It summed up the match.

Independent

It summed up the evening.

The Guardian - Sport

Crosby summed up that different approach.

The New York Times - Sports

Jacques Kallis's wicket summed up that spell.

Independent

The minister summed up with a parable.

The New York Times

Bridgett summed up the challenge.

The Guardian

There's a life summed up".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It summed up City's night.

The Guardian - Sport

It summed up Sanches's character.

The Guardian - Sport

It summed up his isolation.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "summed up" when you want to concisely represent a larger topic or event. It's useful for providing a quick overview or capturing the essence of something complex.

Common error

Avoid using "summed up" when a simpler verb like "summarized" or "stated" would be more appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "summed up" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the act of providing a concise summary or encapsulation of something. It is used to compress a large amount of information, an event, or a feeling into a more manageable and understandable form. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Books

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "summed up" is a grammatically correct and very common phrasal verb used to express a concise summary or encapsulation of something, as verified by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to provide clarity and conciseness, making it suitable for various contexts, as seen in the Ludwig examples. While its register is generally neutral, overuse in simple contexts should be avoided for enhanced writing precision. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and sports sources, "summed up" serves as an efficient tool for conveying the essence of complex subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Summarized

This alternative is more direct and concise, lacking the particle "up".

Encapsulated

This alternative implies a more complete and representative summary, focusing on essential elements.

Condensed

This alternative suggests shortening or reducing in size while retaining the key aspects.

Briefly stated

This alternative emphasizes the conciseness and brevity of the summary.

In a nutshell

This idiom offers a more informal and figurative way to say "summed up".

To put it briefly

This alternative emphasizes a concise and succinct explanation.

In summary

This phrase introduces a concise recap of the main points or key takeaways.

To summarize

Similar to "in summary" it serves as an introduction to a brief overview of the main point.

In short

This offers a more concise and succinct representation.

To make a long story short

This idiom means to quickly get to the point, omitting details.

FAQs

How can I use "summed up" in a sentence?

You can use "summed up" to indicate a concise representation or encapsulation of something. For example, "The report "summed up" the key findings of the research".

What are some alternatives to "summed up"?

Alternatives include "summarized", "encapsulated", or "condensed". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "summed up" formal or informal?

"Summed up" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings might prefer a single-word synonym like "summarized".

What's the difference between "summed up" and "summarized"?

"Summarized" is a direct verb meaning to give a brief account, while "summed up" (phrasal verb) carries a similar meaning but can sometimes imply a more comprehensive encapsulation. In most cases, they are interchangeable.