the total amount

USAGE SUMMARY

"the total amount" is a correct and frequently used phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to the amount of something that is the result of adding several separate amounts together. For example: "After adding up all the costs, the total amount came to $500."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Now write the total amount".

The New Yorker

The total amount of RAM to allocate.

University of California, Berkeley

The total amount involved was almost $50 million.

The New York Times

The total amount of grain has not been determined.

The New York Times

The total amount was approximately 1,040 tonnes.

The Guardian

"(2) The total amount of the prizes awarded.

Cornell University

Circles are sized by the total amount to each candidate.

The New York Times

The total amount of damage cannot yet be estimated.

The Guardian

The total amount would be closer to $140 billion.

The New York Times

In New York this year, the total amount is $1.8 million.

The New York Times

This brings the total amount to be paid to $6,534.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the total amount", ensure that the context clearly defines what is being totaled. For example, specify "the total amount of rainfall" or "the total amount of the bill" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "the total amount" when referring to something that is not a sum of multiple parts. For example, instead of saying "the total amount was one item", say "there was only one item".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the total amount" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying a particular sum or quantity. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, indicating its role in quantifying and identifying a specific aggregate value.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the total amount" is a common phrase used to specify a sum or quantity across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what's being totaled to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "aggregate sum" or "overall quantity" can provide slight variations in tone or emphasis. Avoid using it for non-quantifiable concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the aggregate sum

Replaces "amount" with "sum" and uses "aggregate" for a slightly more formal tone.

the overall quantity

Substitutes "amount" with "quantity" and "total" with "overall" to emphasize the entire extent.

the combined total

Highlights the act of combining individual figures into a final sum.

the grand total

Adds emphasis to the final sum, often used in financial or accounting contexts.

the cumulative amount

Focuses on the accumulation of amounts over time or across different sources.

the complete sum

Replaces "total" with "complete" to indicate that all parts are included in the sum.

the final figure

Refers to the concluding number after all calculations are made.

the sum total

A slightly redundant but common variation emphasizing the overall sum.

the full extent

Focuses on the entirety of something, particularly in less quantifiable contexts.

the entire quantity

Stresses the completeness of the quantity being considered.

FAQs

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

You can use "the total amount" to describe a sum. For example: "The total amount due is $500." or "What is "the total amount" of energy consumed?".

What are some alternatives to "the total amount"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "the aggregate sum", "the overall quantity", or "the grand total" /s/the+grand+total. These alternatives offer slight variations in formality and emphasis.

Is it better to use "total amount" or "total quantity"?

Both "total amount" and "total quantity" are grammatically correct, but "total amount" is generally used when referring to something that can be measured in monetary terms, while "total quantity" is used for countable items or substances.

Can "the total amount" be used to refer to intangible things?

"The total amount" is best used for tangible or measurable quantities. For intangible concepts, consider using phrases like "the overall impact" or "the full extent" instead.