there are a total

USAGE SUMMARY

"there are a total" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that two or more items are being added together to form a larger sum. For example: "There are a total of five books in this series."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In England there are a total of 6780 MSOAs.

Health and Place

Statewide, there are a total of 698 school districts.

The New York Times

There are a total of six reactors at the plant.

The New York Times

There are a total of nine mining projects planned for the area.

The Guardian

"There are a total of three back there," Mr. Freeman said.

The New York Times

There are a total of 69 Sunni Arabs in the 275-member Parliament.

The New York Times

There are a total of seven murals on the walls of the museum.

The New York Times

There are a total of about 160 apartments in those buildings, the mayor said.

The New York Times

There are a total of five such swaps and by and large it worked for me.

The New York Times

There are a total of seven candidates.

BBC

There are a total of L CC's.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there are a total", ensure that the quantity being described is clearly defined and relevant to the context. This phrase works best when summarizing or concluding a count.

Common error

Avoid using "there are a total of of [item]" as it introduces redundancy. Use simply "there are a total of [item]".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there are a total" functions as an existential quantifier, indicating the presence and quantity of something. Ludwig's examples show it used to enumerate items, reactors, candidates, etc. It introduces a statement about the number of entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there are a total" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to express the complete number of something. According to Ludwig, it functions as an existential quantifier and is used to inform the audience about a specific quantity. While versatile, it's important to avoid redundancies like "there are a total of of". Found frequently in science and news media, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in total there are

Inverts the original structure while maintaining the same meaning and emphasizing the quantity.

altogether there are

Similar to the above, this alternative highlights the final count by using "altogether".

the final count is

Highlights that the number is the result of a counting process or calculation.

the sum total is

This alternative replaces "there are a total" with a more concise phrasing, emphasizing the final count.

the overall number is

This alternative is suitable for describing overall counts or amounts in a given context.

the combined amount is

This alternative focuses on the combination of quantities to reach a final value.

the aggregate number is

Replaces the phrase with a more formal alternative, suitable for analytical contexts.

the grand total is

Conveys a sense of a final and often significant count.

the complete number is

Emphasizes that the number is exhaustive and accounts for everything.

the entire quantity is

Emphasizes the whole quantity rather than focusing on discrete units.

FAQs

How do I use "there are a total" in a sentence?

Use "there are a total" to indicate the sum or final count of something. For example, "There are a total of 10 questions on the test."

What can I say instead of "there are a total"?

You can use alternatives like "in total there are", "the sum total is", or "altogether there are" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "there are a total of of"?

Yes, it's redundant. Saying "there are a total of of" is grammatically incorrect. Use "there are a total of [item]".

How formal is the phrase "there are a total"?

The phrase "there are a total" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and context.