there were altogether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were altogether" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a total number or sum of items or people in a specific context. Example: "At the end of the meeting, there were altogether twenty participants who contributed to the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Usai said many other questions remained: "We don't know how many there were altogether.

The Guardian

There were altogether 983 mRNAs revealed ≥1.5-fold increased abundance; conversely, 557 genes exhibited a decline in abundance (≤1.5-fold) owing to the silencing Lsd1 (Fig. 4a and Supplementary Table S2).

Nature

Therefore, there were altogether 14 patients with transitional lumbosacral vertebrae.

Insights into Imaging

As indicated by the table, there were altogether ten writing tasks.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

As indicated by the table, there were altogether ten writing tasks amounting to almost one per month.

Functional Linguistics

There were altogether seven strategies found within this move: Delimiting the scope of study, Defining terms, Describing data, Describing subjects, Describing experiment, Describing analytical procedure and Indicating analytical framework.

Functional Linguistics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

It is unclear how many descendants there are altogether.

The New York Times

From the argument in the previous paragraph, there are altogether at most dual packings.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

While it is still unclear how many Ebola patients there are altogether, WHO estimates several hundred extra beds are needed in Liberia alone.

Science Magazine

There was altogether too much of him.

The New York Times - Arts

For there is altogether one fitness, harmony.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there were altogether" to clearly state a final count or sum, especially when summarizing data or providing an overall quantity after a description or analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "there were altogether" in sentences where a simple "there were" or a more direct statement of quantity would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound stilted or unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were altogether" functions as an existential quantifier, indicating the existence and total quantity of something. As supported by Ludwig's examples, it introduces a numerical value representing the sum of items or individuals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

74%

News & Media

22%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there were altogether" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, primarily employed to denote a final, comprehensive count or quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to provide a clear numerical summary in diverse contexts, most notably in scientific and news-related publications. While alternatives like "in total there were" or "the total number was" exist, "there were altogether" remains a straightforward and effective means of conveying a total. Writers should be mindful of avoiding redundancy by using simpler constructions when appropriate, ensuring clarity and conciseness in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

altogether, there were

This version puts "altogether" at the beginning for emphasis.

in total there were

This alternative reorders the phrase slightly while retaining the original meaning.

there were in total

This alternative repositions "in total" for a slightly different emphasis.

the total number was

This option uses a more formal tone, focusing on the numerical result.

the sum total was

This alternative is more emphatic about the final amount.

all in all, there were

This option includes an introductory phrase that emphasizes summing up.

in aggregate, there were

This alternative provides a more statistical or analytical tone.

the grand total was

This alternative is more dramatic and emphasizes a final, comprehensive count.

once tallied, there were

This option is more succinct and implies a completed counting process.

when everything was counted, there were

This version describes the process of counting before stating the total.

FAQs

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

You can use "there were altogether" to indicate the total number of something, such as "There were altogether 300 students participating in the study".

What phrases can I use instead of "there were altogether"?

Alternatives include "in total there were", "there were in total", or "the total number was", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "altogether there were" instead of "there were altogether"?

Yes, "altogether there were" is grammatically correct, but it places more emphasis on the word "altogether". The phrase "there were altogether" is more common.

What is the difference between "there were altogether" and "there were approximately"?

"There were altogether" indicates an exact count, while "there were approximately" suggests an estimated or rounded number. If the number is precise, use "there were altogether"; if it's an estimate, use "there were approximately".