the aggregate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the aggregate" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a total or whole formed by combining several elements or parts. Example: "The aggregate of all the data collected from the surveys will help us understand the overall trends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is the aggregate demand.

The Economist

Is that true in the aggregate?

The New Yorker

That meant the aggregate score was tied.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet the aggregate of moviegoing is down.

The New York Times

It's the possibility of the aggregate loss.

The New York Times

The aggregate score was 5-5.

The Guardian - Sport

The Aggregate index lost 2.9 percent that year.

The New York Times

"But all the other systems work at the aggregate level.

The Guardian

That way, each shimmers brighter in the aggregate glow.

The New York Times - Food

His brain image would be compared to the aggregate image.

The New York Times

In the aggregate, the insurer comes out ahead.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the aggregate" when you want to emphasize the consideration of a whole formed from multiple parts, rather than focusing on the individual components. For example, "The aggregate impact of these policies is significant."

Common error

Avoid using "the aggregate" when you actually mean "the average". "Aggregate" refers to a total or sum, while "average" refers to a central value calculated by dividing the sum by the number of items. For example, don't say "The aggregate score was used to determine the winner" if you mean "The average score..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the aggregate" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples from Ludwig show it describing a combined amount or total.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the aggregate" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, used to denote a total or whole formed from multiple elements. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts, where precision and comprehensiveness are valued. While alternatives like "in total" or "altogether" exist, "the aggregate" emphasizes the combined consideration of individual parts. Remember to use it when you specifically intend to convey the idea of a unified whole rather than an average or a single component.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in total

This alternative offers a more concise way to express the combined amount.

altogether

Similar to "in total", this provides a shorter, single-word alternative.

the sum total

This emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the total being considered.

the overall amount

This focuses on the final quantity or value after combining individual elements.

the combined result

This highlights the outcome of merging or adding different components.

the total sum

A phrase that reinforces the concept of addition to arrive at a final quantity.

in summation

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the summarizing aspect.

the accumulation

This emphasizes the process of gathering and combining elements.

the entirety

This focuses on the completeness of the whole, rather than the process of aggregation.

the composite

This term suggests a combination of distinct parts into a unified whole.

FAQs

How is "the aggregate" used in a sentence?

"The aggregate" is used to describe a total or whole that is formed by combining different elements. For example: "The aggregate of all the data points shows a clear trend."

What's a simpler way to express "the aggregate"?

Alternatives to "the aggregate" include "in total", "altogether", or "the sum total". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "aggregate total"?

While understandable, "aggregate total" is somewhat redundant because "aggregate" already implies a total. It's generally better to simply use "the aggregate" or "the total".

What's the difference between "the aggregate" and "the average"?

"The aggregate" refers to the sum or total of individual items, while "the average" is a central value representing the typical amount. Using the phrase "the average" involves dividing the aggregate by the number of items.