sums to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sums to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in mathematical contexts to indicate the total or result of adding numbers or quantities together. Example: "The total cost of the items in the cart sums to $150."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Many Asian families devote vast sums to supplement government education.

The New York Times

Companies paid huge sums to appear on news websites.

The Economist

He too has directed vast sums to his home state.

The Economist

"Some of the very wealthy give considerable sums to charity.

The Guardian

He has also given smaller sums to the Liberal Democrats.

The Guardian

Occidental has also given substantial sums to Republicans.

The New York Times

Candidates pay their competitors huge sums to withdraw.

The New York Times

Three clinics have closed, and others have spent large sums to comply.

The New York Times

Miners are still asked to pay five-figure sums to meet ministers.

The Economist

Individual Republican donors have shelled out huge sums to super PACs.

The New York Times

Last year, Pfizer and Eli Lilly paid hefty sums to resolve federal charges of illegal marketing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sums to" when you want to emphasize the final result of an addition or calculation. For instance, "The total cost of the project sums to $1 million."

Common error

Avoid using "sums to" in contexts where a more general term like "equals" or "amounts to" would be more appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly technical or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sums to" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a series of numbers or values, when added together, results in a specific total. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Examples show its use in both mathematical and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

17%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sums to" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate that a series of numbers or values, when added together, reaches a specific total. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, particularly in mathematical and scientific fields. While "sums to" is more frequent in scientific and news contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal register. Alternative phrases such as "adds up to" or "amounts to" can be used for variety, but "sums to" provides a precise and direct way to express the final result of a summation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adds up to

Focuses on the process of addition to reach a total.

amounts to

Emphasizes the final quantity or value.

equals

Highlights the equivalence between two sides of an equation.

totals

Directly states the final sum or aggregate.

comes to

Indicates a calculation or process leading to a result.

represents

Indicates the whole or a final quantity.

is equivalent to

Highlights the equal value or meaning.

concludes to

Implies a logical deduction or final thought.

aggregates to

Emphasizes the combination of smaller parts into a larger whole.

culminates in

Suggests a final result after a process or series of events.

FAQs

How can I use "sums to" in a sentence?

The phrase "sums to" is used to indicate that a series of numbers or values, when added together, results in a specific total. For example, "The total of all expenses "sums to" $5000."

What can I say instead of "sums to"?

You can use alternatives like "adds up to", "amounts to", or "equals" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "sums to" or "sums up to"?

"Sums to" is more concise and commonly used when referring to a total. "Sums up to" isn't incorrect, but ""sums to"" is generally preferred for its simplicity and directness.

What's the difference between "sums to" and "results in"?

"Sums to" typically refers to a numerical total achieved through addition. "Results in", on the other hand, is broader and indicates a consequence or outcome, not necessarily a numerical total. For example, "Hard work results in success".