the total of

USAGE SUMMARY

"the total of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You use it when you want to indicate the combined amount or sum of two or more parts. For example, "The total of the three tax payments is $6,000."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All of which feels totally achievable for the total of two hundred grand.

Vice

The total of money lost?

The Guardian - Tech

That is twice the total of Likud's rival, Labor.

The New York Times

The total of all N.F.L.-related relief is $21 million.

The New York Times

The additions bring the total of I.B.L. teams to nine.

The New York Times - Sports

The total of 150 yuan would be more than $20.

The New York Times

The total of 800 rooms includes 74 suites.

The New York Times - Travel

The total of confirmed dead in Jenin remained 16.

The Guardian

The total of 266 career victories became 357.

The New York Times - Sports

Also, the total of learning time is greatly reduced.

Neurocomputing

The total of the 14 average checks comes to $40,575.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the total of", ensure that the items being totaled are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "the total of all expenses" rather than just "the total".

Common error

Avoid using "the total of" without specifying the units being measured (e.g., dollars, items, hours). Always provide context to ensure clarity: "the total of 100 dollars" instead of just "the total of 100".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the total of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically functioning as a pre-modifier to a noun, indicating a combined sum or aggregate amount. It is used to specify the entirety of something when quantifying multiple items, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the total of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate the combined amount or sum of multiple items. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity and widespread application across various contexts. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific sources, demonstrating its versatility and relevance in providing quantitative summaries. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the units being measured and avoiding ambiguity in the items being totaled.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the sum of

Replaces 'total' with 'sum', emphasizing the addition process.

the amount of

Focuses on the quantity or measure of something.

the aggregate of

Uses 'aggregate' to denote a combined or collective amount.

the grand total of

Adds emphasis to the final amount after calculation.

the entirety of

Emphasizes completeness rather than numerical summation.

the whole of

Indicates the complete quantity or extent of something.

the overall amount of

Stresses the complete extent or quantity.

the combined value of

Highlights the result of merging individual values.

the compilation of

Implies the process of gathering and combining into a total.

the accumulation of

Suggests a gradual gathering to reach a final amount.

FAQs

How to use "the total of" in a sentence?

Use "the total of" to specify the combined sum of multiple items or values. For instance, "The total of the bills came to $500" or "The total of registered helpers is over 11,000".

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

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

Is it correct to say "total of" instead of "the total of"?

While "total of" might be understood in informal contexts, using "the total of" is generally more grammatically correct and appropriate for formal writing.

What's the difference between "the total of" and "the total number of"?

"The total of" is used for quantities or amounts that can be added together (e.g., "the total of expenses"). "The total number of" is specifically used when counting discrete items (e.g., "the total number of students").