sums it up

USAGE SUMMARY

"sums it up" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to give a brief and concise description or conclusion of something. Example: "Despite facing many challenges, the team's hard work, determination, and perseverance sums it up - they are champions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

(That just about sums it up).

The New York Times

That sums it up for me.

The New York Times

"That really sums it up," he said.

The New York Times

He sums it up in two mottos.

The Economist

I think that sums it up perfectly".

Independent

(Greg Sargent sums it up neatly here).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

"Deano summed it up really.

Independent

That summed it up nicely.

The New York Times - Sports

To sum it up, it was horrible.

The New York Times

Atlético's coach summed it up perfectly.

The New York Times - Sports

Hunter, their leader, summed it up nicely.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overusing "sums it up" in very formal writing, where alternatives such as "in conclusion" or "to summarize" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "sums it up" if the topic requires a detailed or nuanced explanation. It's best suited for situations where a brief, impactful statement is sufficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sums it up" primarily functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate that something has been concisely and effectively summarized. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sums it up" is a versatile and commonly used expression for providing a concise conclusion. Ludwig AI confirms it as a correct and widely accepted phrase in written English. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, especially in news and media. While highly effective for brief summaries, it's important to consider more formal alternatives like "in conclusion" for detailed explanations or academic writing. Remember to use "sums it up" when you want to capture the core idea succinctly and make an impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in short

A direct and concise way to indicate a summary is being provided.

to summarize

A formal way to introduce a summary of what has been said.

in conclusion

A formal way to signal the end of an argument or exposition by summarizing it

encapsulates it

Emphasizes the action of enclosing or containing something completely, similar to summarizing.

captures the essence

Focuses on seizing the most important or characteristic aspect of something.

in essence

Highlights the fundamental nature or quality of something.

puts it in a nutshell

Implies a very brief and concise explanation, often in simple terms.

the gist is

Focuses on the main point or substance of a topic.

boils down to

Suggests reducing something complex to its most basic elements or core issue.

it all means

Implies a conclusion based on gathering the individual components.

FAQs

How can I use "sums it up" in a sentence?

You can use "sums it up" to concisely conclude a point, like in, "The team's resilience and determination really "sums it up"".

What are some alternatives to "sums it up"?

Alternatives include "encapsulates it", "captures the essence", or "puts it in a nutshell", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sums it up" formal or informal?

"Sums it up" is generally considered to be fairly neutral, leaning slightly towards the informal. More formal options include phrases like "to summarize" or "in conclusion".

What's the difference between "sums it up" and "in conclusion"?

"Sums it up" is a more casual way to indicate a brief summary, while "in conclusion" is a formal phrase typically used to signal the end of a longer discussion or presentation.