the total population

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the total population" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to the entire number of people living in a specific area or country. It can be used in sentences discussing statistics, demographics, or social issues. Example: According to the latest census data, the total population of the United States has reached 328 million people.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The total population was 1766.

Harvard University

The total population stands at 672,228.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Society: -What is the total population of Libya?

The New York Times

What is the total population of each country?

The New York Times

That lifted the total population to 4.2 million.

The New York Times

The total population of the disputed islands is 17,000.

The New York Times

Statistical models could then predict the total population.

The New York Times

What percentage of the total population is that?

The New York Times

Last year, 12percentt of the total population was killed.

The New York Times - Science

They constitute nearly half of the total population of Niger.

Britannica

For reference, the total population of the UK is 64.1 million while the total population of all EU countries (including UK) is 503 million.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing populations, always specify the geographical or demographic context to which "the total population" refers (e.g., "the total population of the city", "the total population of adults").

Common error

Avoid using "the total population" without a clear reference point. For instance, saying "the total population increased" is vague. Instead, specify the area or group whose population increased, such as "the total population of the region increased".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the total population" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting the entire number of people within a specific region or group. This is reflected in Ludwig AI's affirmation of the phrase's grammatical correctness and the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the total population" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to denote the entire count of people within a given area or demographic. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse contexts, spanning academic research, news reporting, and general discussions. The phrase's effectiveness hinges on providing clear contextual references to the population being discussed. With its widespread usage across reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, understanding and properly employing "the total population" is essential for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the entire population

Replaces "total" with "entire", emphasizing completeness.

the overall population

Substitutes "total" with "overall", indicating a general count.

the complete population

Uses "complete" instead of "total", highlighting that all members are included.

the population size

Focuses on the numerical aspect of the population.

the number of inhabitants

Replaces "population" with "inhabitants", changing the noun.

the aggregate population

Uses "aggregate" instead of "total", suggesting a combined count.

the full population

Replaces "total" with "full", emphasizing the entirety of the population.

the populace

Offers a simpler, more direct term for "the total population".

the resident population

Specifies that the population consists of residents.

the demographic

Refers to the population in terms of its statistical characteristics.

FAQs

How do you use "the total population" in a sentence?

You can use "the total population" to refer to the entire number of people residing in a specific area or belonging to a particular group. For example, "According to the census, the total population of California is approximately 40 million people".

What is another way to say "the total population"?

You can use alternatives like "the entire population", "the overall population", or "the aggregate population" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "the total population" or "total population"?

Both "the total population" and "total population" can be correct depending on the context. However, "the total population" is more common when referring to a specific group or area, while "total population" might be used in more general or statistical contexts.

What does "the total population" usually refer to?

"The total population" typically refers to the entire number of individuals residing within a defined geographic boundary or belonging to a specific demographic group. It's a common term in census data, statistical reports, and demographic studies.