the grand total

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the grand total" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the final amount or sum after all calculations or additions have been made, often in financial contexts. Example: "After adding all the expenses, the grand total for the project came to $5,000."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The grand total: $317.

The New York Times

The grand total?

The New York Times

The grand total of servants was 64,510.

The Guardian

The grand total of houses built to replace them: two.

The Guardian

The grand total is 9 billion tonnes of water.

The Economist

I ask, "What will the grand total be?" He says, "Who knows?" and hangs up!

The New York Times

The grand total of $1.2m was the most raised by a musician at the time.

The Guardian - Music

She's been a special adviser to the Cabinet Office for the grand total of three years.

The Guardian - Opinion

And the grand total was divided by 77 to give a realistic imp figure.

The New York Times

In that time, we've had the grand total of five rejections.

The Guardian

The grand total: about $127, or $10.58 an hour, which Mr. Faustino deemed his average wage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the grand total" to emphasize the final and complete sum, especially when multiple additions or calculations have been involved. It provides a sense of closure and comprehensiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "the grand total" for simple additions or where the total is immediately obvious. Overusing it in such cases can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose or dramatic. Instead, use simpler terms like "the total" or "the sum".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the grand total" functions as a noun phrase that represents the final sum or amount resulting from a calculation. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly used. Examples include "The grand total is 9 billion tonnes of water" and "The grand total: $317."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the grand total" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to denote the final sum or amount after calculations, especially in contexts involving money or quantities. Ludwig AI highlights its frequent appearance in news, science, and business sources. While "the total" or "the final amount" can serve as alternatives, "the grand total" adds a sense of completeness and finality. When writing, ensure its use is appropriate for the complexity of the summation to avoid sounding overly verbose. Remember that context is key and as the Ludwig AI details, it's crucial to maintain clarity and precision, especially in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the total sum

Replaces "grand" with "total", emphasizing the complete sum without the added emphasis.

the final amount

Substitutes "grand total" with "final amount", focusing on the conclusive quantity or value.

the overall sum

Uses "overall" instead of "grand", highlighting the comprehensive nature of the sum.

the aggregate total

Replaces "grand" with "aggregate", suggesting a collection of items summed up.

the complete tally

Substitutes "grand total" with "complete tally", implying a full and exhaustive count.

the full reckoning

Uses "full reckoning" to denote the final calculation or accounting of everything.

the definitive total

Replaces "grand" with "definitive", highlighting that the total is final and not subject to change.

the ultimate sum

Substitutes "grand total" with "ultimate sum", indicating the highest or final amount.

the encompassing total

Uses "encompassing" instead of "grand", implying that the total includes everything.

the net total

Replaces "grand" with "net", used especially when deductions have been considered.

FAQs

How can I use "the grand total" in a sentence?

You can use "the grand total" to refer to the final sum after all calculations. For example: "After adding all the expenses, "the grand total" for the project came to $5,000."

What can I say instead of "the grand total"?

You can use alternatives like "the total sum", "the final amount", or "the overall sum depending on the context.

Is "the grand total" formal or informal?

"The grand total" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal and can be used in a variety of contexts, including news articles, business reports, and academic papers. Simpler alternatives like "the total" may be more appropriate for very informal settings.

What's the difference between "the total" and "the grand total"?

"The total" refers to the sum of values. "The grand total" implies a more complex calculation with multiple steps or components. "The grand total" often conveys a sense of finality and comprehensiveness that "the total" might not.