there are a total of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there are a total of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to quantify a group or an amount of something. For example, "There are a total of five dogs in the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In England there are a total of 6780 MSOAs.

Health and Place

There are a total of 5522 light-curve points.

Princeton University

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 eight such image slots available for tracking.

Harvard University

So there are a total of six poles around this circle.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

There are a total of 3081 sheets and 149 RLIN VIM records.

Columbia University

There are a total of 20 relevant documents in the collection.

Stanford University

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider whether the word "total" is necessary. In many cases, "there are" is sufficient, especially when the context already implies a sum.

Common error

Avoid using redundant language around "there are a total of". For instance, avoid phrases like "there are a total of X amount of" because "amount" is often implied by "total". Instead, say "there are a total of X".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there are a total of" functions as an existential quantifier, indicating the presence and quantity of something. It introduces a statement about the number of items, people, or things that exist within a defined scope. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there are a total of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for specifying the quantity of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most common in news, science, and academic writing, where precise numbers are crucial. While versatile, ensure the word "total" adds value and avoid redundancy. Consider using simpler alternatives like "there are" when the context already implies a sum. Remember that while this construction is commonly used, you could find simpler alternatives as "the number of" or "amount to" depending the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the total number of

This alternative emphasizes the quantity but focuses on the total number.

the sum total is

Emphasizes a calculated result or final number.

in total there are

This phrase reorders the sentence structure, placing emphasis on the total.

altogether there are

This version uses "altogether" to express the collective number.

all told, there are

Indicates a summary of a count or enumeration.

the aggregate is

This option uses more formal language to describe the combined sum.

the complete count is

This alternative focuses on the final number after a counting process.

a grand total of

This alternative emphasizes the final sum, often when impressive.

numbering in all

Highlights the final count in a more concise way.

a sum of

More concise way of expressing a total, suitable for numeric values.

FAQs

How can I use "there are a total of" in a sentence?

Use "there are a total of" to specify the final quantity or number of items in a group. For example, "There are a total of 10 candidates applying for the job."

What's a simpler way to say "there are a total of"?

Depending on the context, you can often shorten it to just "there are". For instance, instead of "There are a total of five apples", you could say "There are five apples."

Is it ever incorrect to use "there are a total of"?

While grammatically correct, using "there are a total of" might be redundant if the totality is already implied. Consider if the word "total" adds necessary emphasis or if it can be omitted for brevity.

What are some alternatives to "there are a total of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "the total number is", "in total there are", or "altogether there are". You could also use simpler constructions like "the number of" or "amount to".