the totality of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the totality of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to introduce a comprehensive list of things or to emphasize that all elements of something have been included. For example, "The totality of my research covered the entire history of the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's the totality of everything.

The New York Times - Magazine

The totality of it matters.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's the totality of them".

The New Yorker

It's the totality of the thing.

The New Yorker

The totality of eigenvalues is a set.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I don't have the totality of independence".

The New Yorker

He considers the totality of a person.

The New Yorker

But the totality of it is clear.

The Washington Post

"The totality of my possessions reflects the totality of my being," he wrote in 1949.

The Guardian - Tech

The totality of their existence is never explored.

The Guardian

"I was fascinated by the totality of it.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the totality of", ensure that you are indeed referring to all aspects or elements of something to avoid misleading the reader. Be as specific as possible about what is included in the totality.

Common error

Avoid using "the totality of" when a simpler phrase like "all of" or "the whole" would suffice. Using complex phrasing in simple contexts can make your writing sound pretentious or unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the totality of" functions as a determiner followed by a noun, introducing a concept or item that encompasses all its constituent parts. It is used to emphasize completeness or comprehensiveness. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase is often followed by nouns such as "evidence", "circumstances", and "existence".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Arts

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the totality of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to emphasize the comprehensive nature of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for introducing a complete list or highlighting that all elements are included. While its usage spans various contexts, it's most prevalent in news, scientific, and encyclopedic content. When writing, be mindful of potential overuse in simple contexts and consider simpler alternatives like "all of" or "the whole" when appropriate. The phrase is generally considered neutral to formal, making it versatile for different writing styles, but primarily fitting those that value precision and comprehensiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the entirety of

Replaces 'totality' with 'entirety', focusing on the complete extent or scope.

the whole of

Uses 'whole' to signify the complete unit or sum, similar to 'totality'.

the sum total of

Emphasizes the result of adding all elements together, highlighting the cumulative aspect.

the full scope of

Focuses on the range and breadth of something, implying a comprehensive view.

the complete picture of

Stresses having all the information to form a comprehensive understanding.

the aggregate of

Highlights the collection of individual items into a unified whole.

the compilation of

Implies gathering separate items into a collection.

the synthesis of

Focuses on combining different elements into a unified entity.

the complex of

Suggests considering interrelated elements as a unit.

the conspectus of

Replaces 'totality' with a more formal and less commonly used term 'conspectus', which means a comprehensive survey or overview.

FAQs

What does "the totality of" mean?

The phrase "the totality of" refers to the entirety of something, encompassing all its aspects or elements. It implies a comprehensive and complete view or understanding.

How can I use "the totality of" in a sentence?

You can use "the totality of" to emphasize that you are considering all parts of something. For example, "The committee considered "the totality of the evidence" before making a decision."

What are some alternatives to "the totality of"?

Some alternatives include "the entirety of", "the whole of", or "the sum total of". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "the totality of" or "the whole of"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "the totality of" is often used in more formal or academic contexts, while "the whole of" is generally simpler and more commonly used in everyday language.