there were a total

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were a total" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate the cumulative quantity of something, or to introduce a summation of something. For example, "There were a total of ten people in attendance at the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There were a total of three courses of one week.

The Guardian - Sport

In 1998 and 1999, there were a total of 35.

The New York Times

There were a total of twenty-eight Web sites.

The New Yorker

In October, there were a total of 10 reported crimes.

The Guardian

There were a total of 20 subjects with amblyopia, ages 15 to 61, in the study.

University of California, Berkeley

We see that there were a total of 35 sources detected in this observation.

Harvard University

There were a total of 21 sessions.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

There were a total 41 diagnosis in these two studies.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

There were a total of 96 major protocol violations.

Clinical Phytoscience

There were a total of ten subjects in this study.

EJNMMI Research

There were a total of five sessions with 164 participants.

Latin American Economic Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there were a total" to clearly introduce a sum or final count, ensuring the context makes the relevance of the total obvious to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "there were a total" when you don't provide the actual total number. Always follow the phrase with the specific quantity or value you are summarizing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were a total" functions as an introductory phrase used to present a sum or final count. This is commonly used across diverse contexts, as Ludwig AI states, to clearly introduce a numerical quantity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

29%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there were a total" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to introduce a numerical sum or final count. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively signals a conclusive quantity resulting from an accumulation. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and academic contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for broad audiences. Alternatives include phrases like "the total number was" and "in total there were", but the best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis. Ensure to always provide the specific number when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the total number was

Replaces the initial "there were" with a more direct subject, emphasizing the quantity.

in total there were

Inverts the structure for emphasis, placing "in total" at the beginning.

altogether, there were

Substitutes "there were a total" with "altogether, there were" to convey the same meaning.

the sum total was

Uses "sum total" for a slightly more formal tone, indicating the result of addition.

a grand total of

Adds emphasis with "grand", suggesting a significant or noteworthy amount.

the aggregate was

Employs "aggregate" to denote a collection of items gathered into one amount.

the final count was

Focuses on the act of counting and its result, using "final count".

combined, there were

Highlights the act of combining elements to reach a total.

when added up, there were

Emphasizes the process of addition before stating the total.

all told, there were

Uses an idiomatic expression to introduce the total number.

FAQs

How can I use "there were a total" in a sentence?

Use "there were a total" to introduce a numerical sum or quantity. For example, "There were a total of 20 participants in the study."

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

Alternatives include "the total number was", "in total there were", or "altogether, there were". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "the total was" instead of "there were a total"?

Yes, "the total was" is generally considered more concise and slightly more formal. "There were a total" adds a bit more emphasis to the counting process.

When is it appropriate to use "there were a total" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to clearly state the final count of something, especially after describing individual components or additions. It helps signal to the reader that you are now presenting a comprehensive sum.