sums were

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sums were" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing mathematical calculations or results in the past. Example: "The sums were calculated accurately, and the results were verified by the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

These sums were huge.

The Guardian

Sums were done, off-plan deals signed.

Independent

ReprintsTo be sure, the sums were generous.

The Economist

Loral has said both sums were inadequate.

The New York Times

Large sums were available after all.

The New York Times - Arts

"The sums were staggering," the transcript in Le Monde reads.

The New York Times

During the recent boom years, the sums were available.

The New York Times

While vast sums were at stake, the trial did not attract wide public attention.

The New York Times

Vast sums were being spent, it seemed, for my cheesy humiliation.

The New Yorker

But until yesterday, few knew just how tidy those sums were.

The New York Times

Experts on Mexico's education system said extraordinary sums were frittered away by education bureaucrats.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about financial matters, clearly specify the currency and context to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The sums were staggering, exceeding expectations by 20%" is more effective than simply stating, "The sums were staggering."

Common error

Avoid using "sums were" when referring to a single sum. Instead, use "the sum was" for singular references.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sums were" typically functions as part of a clause indicating the state or value of multiple amounts or calculations in the past. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sums were" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression, predominantly utilized in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function involves indicating the value or state of multiple amounts in the past. While variations such as "amounts totaled" or "figures reached" offer alternative phrasing, "sums were" remains a direct and widely recognized way to communicate financial or quantitative information. It's important to remember that "sums" is plural, requiring the verb "were". Using "was" in place of it is grammatically wrong.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amounts totaled

Emphasizes the final calculated value of amounts.

totals came to

Indicates the concluding result of an addition process.

figures reached

Focuses on the level or extent that certain numbers attained.

values amounted to

Highlights the significance of the monetary values.

payments equaled

Specifically refers to payments and their corresponding amounts.

funds allocated were

Focuses on the distribution of funds and their past allocation.

expenditures reached

Relates to the amount of money spent or utilized.

revenues generated totaled

Implies the creation of income that accumulated to a specific value.

costs incurred amounted to

Addresses expenses and their final tally.

the assessments came to

Indicates the final determination of calculated amounts.

FAQs

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

Use "sums were" to refer to multiple amounts or totals in the past. For example, "The "sums were" initially estimated at $1 million, but later revised to $1.5 million".

What's a good alternative to "sums were"?

Alternatives include phrases like "amounts totaled", "figures reached", or "values amounted to", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "sums was" instead of "sums were"?

No, "sums was" is grammatically incorrect. "Sums" is plural, so it requires the plural verb "were".

What is the difference between "sums were" and "total was"?

"Sums were" refers to multiple amounts, whereas "total was" refers to a single, final amount. You can use "total was" when you are talking about the sum of all the amounts added together.