the sum total of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the sum total of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the entirety or complete amount of something, often in a formal or academic context. Example: "The sum total of the research findings indicates a significant correlation between the variables studied."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That was the sum total of due diligence".

The Guardian

The sum total of these failures had hastened his death.

The New Yorker

This is the sum total of our relationship.

The Guardian - Tech

The sum total of these new welfare processes is bleak.

The Guardian

That was the sum total of my female reading.

The Guardian - Books

And the sum total of all this is improvement?

The Guardian

That's the sum total of his experience of Woodstock.

The Guardian - Music

That was the sum total of their conversation.

The New Yorker

The sum total of that is a mess.

The Guardian - Sport

"That's the sum total of my interaction with her.

The New Yorker

"His history was not the sum total of Cuban history".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the sum total of" when you want to emphasize that you are considering all contributing factors to reach a final amount or understanding. It can add a sense of thoroughness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid phrases like "the total sum total of", as it is unnecessarily repetitive. Choose either "the sum total of" or "the total" depending on your desired emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the sum total of" functions as a determiner followed by a noun phrase. It modifies a noun to specify the complete quantity or extent. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage across diverse contexts to denote a comprehensive accumulation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the sum total of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that emphasizes completeness and comprehensiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its consistent usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "the entirety of" or "the aggregate of" exist, "the sum total of" adds a distinctive sense of thoroughness. Be mindful of potential redundancy and avoid using phrases like "the total sum total of". Overall, "the sum total of" is a valuable tool for expressing a comprehensive quantity or understanding in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the entirety of

Focuses on completeness without necessarily implying a calculation.

the whole of

Indicates the entire extent or scope of something.

the aggregate of

Highlights the combination of multiple elements into a single quantity or result.

the complete amount of

Stresses the exhaustive quantity, leaving nothing out.

the culmination of

Emphasizes the final result achieved after a process or series of events.

the grand total of

Adds emphasis to the final amount, suggesting importance or impressiveness.

the net result of

Focuses on the final outcome after accounting for all contributing factors.

the overall result of

Focuses on the outcome or consequence of multiple factors.

the combined effect of

Highlights the merging or blending of several influences to produce one result.

the final reckoning of

Suggests a conclusive calculation or assessment.

FAQs

How can I use "the sum total of" in a sentence?

Use "the sum total of" to indicate the final or complete amount resulting from adding together all relevant elements. For example, "The sum total of the expenses exceeded our budget."

What phrases are similar to "the sum total of"?

You can use alternatives such as "the entirety of", "the aggregate of", or "the culmination of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "the sum total of" formal or informal?

"The sum total of" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in formal writing or speech where precision and thoroughness are emphasized.

What is the difference between "the sum total of" and "the total of"?

"The sum total of" emphasizes a more comprehensive aggregation, implying that all elements have been considered. "The total of" is a more general term that simply refers to the final amount.