the total number was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the total number was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when stating a specific quantity or amount in a report, analysis, or summary. Example: "After conducting the survey, we found that the total number was 150 participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

The total number was provided by other officials.

The New York Times

As of the end of April, the total number was 4.55 million.

The New York Times

(By 1995, the total number was close to half a million).

The New Yorker

Federal officials said the total number was a sharp increase from Monday, when about eight flights were operating per hour.

The New York Times

The total number was not available, but officials in France said that about 20 people had been arrested there, with 10 more placed under investigation.

The New York Times

Although the total number was inflated by spam and pre-populated form letters, 98.5% of the unique comments opposed the repeal, according to a study funded by ISPs.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

The total number is now 31.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Refugee advocates say the total number is 4.9 million.

The New York Times

Why? Part of the challenge is that the total number is an open question.

Harvard University

Roughly 5,000 members of the Continental Army, 5percentt of the total number, were black.

Britannica

The total number is more than triple the number at the same period last year, when 84 robberies took place.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting statistical data, clearly define what "the total number was" is measuring to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "the total number of participants was 150" rather than just "the total number was 150".

Common error

Ensure you always include the units of measurement when using "the total number was". Saying "the total number was 50" is incomplete. Specify "the total number was 50 kilograms" or "the total number was 50 items" to provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the total number was" serves as a declarative statement indicating a specific quantity or amount at a particular point in time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. It functions to provide concrete numerical information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the total number was" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for stating specific quantities or amounts. As Ludwig AI pointed out, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While common, remember to specify the units of measurement and define what is being measured for clarity. Alternatives like "the final count stood at" can add variety to your writing. Be mindful of usage; for example, 'is' is suitable for present/ongoing situations, while 'was' is for past tallies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the overall quantity was

Uses a more general term "quantity" instead of number.

the final count stood at

Replaces "total number" with "final count" and uses "stood at" to indicate the resulting quantity.

the complete tally reached

Replaces "number" with "tally" to indicate a count, and uses "reached" to show the resulting amount.

the ultimate figure totaled

Highlights that the figure is final after calculations.

the definitive amount was

Highlights the authoritative nature of the total by using "definitive".

the aggregate sum equaled

Emphasizes the accumulation of individual parts into a whole, using more formal language.

the grand total amounted to

Uses "grand total" to stress the comprehensive nature of the sum.

the sum total came to

Emphasizes that a collection of values was added, using a more basic wording.

the absolute value equaled

Focuses on the value without considering any signs or negations.

the finalized sum represented

Implies that the number is the result of a process of bringing the information to the state of finality.

FAQs

How can I use "the total number was" in a sentence?

Use "the total number was" to state a specific quantity or amount, such as "After the recount, the total number was 537 votes".

What are some alternatives to "the total number was"?

You can use alternatives like "the final count stood at", "the grand total amounted to", or "the overall quantity was" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the total number is" instead of "the total number was"?

Yes, "the total number is" is correct when referring to a current or ongoing count. "The total number was" is used for past counts. For example, "The total number is currently 200" versus "The total number was 150 last week".

How does the formality of "the total number was" compare to other similar phrases?

"The total number was" is generally neutral. More formal alternatives include "the aggregate sum equaled" while more informal options might rephrase it as "the final count came out to be".