to sum things up

USAGE SUMMARY

"to sum things up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to concisely note the main points of a discussion, or to conclude a speech, presentation, or essay. For example: "To sum things up, the best way to reduce our carbon footprint is to drive less, buy local, and use efficient light bulbs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The omniscient narrator peeping over Cecilia's shoulder likes to sum things up briskly.

Independent

Professor Pausch had announced that he was dying and was planning to sum things up in a last lecture for his students at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh in September 2007.

The New York Times - Books

Rabbi Paul Menitoff, executive vice president of the Reform Jewish group Central Conference of American Rabbis, and Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, founder of the American Sufi Muslim Association, appeared to sum things up for the group.

The New York Times

At the end of a calendar year, we are apt to sum things up: the best this, the worst that.

Forbes

To sum things up, even when Sethi had something truthful to say, he apparently lied anyway just to make things more interesting.

TechCrunch

To sum things up, safety is the main issue with flying cars, and driverless tech is the key to solving that problem.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Indeed, "Outline" proposes an unexpected solution to the weariness with fiction which Anne calls "summing up": Cusk has her characters literally sum things up, making them speak about past events rather than showing those events as they unfold.

The New Yorker

In your obesity essay, you might sum things up by proceeding like this: "The purpose of this essay is to analyze current trends in childhood obesity rates worldwide and recommend specific policy initiatives to combat this growing problem".

WikiHow

People sum things up down there anyway.

The New Yorker

He could sum things up in an aphorism.

The Guardian

"One wish," he said, "if you could sum things up in one wish, what would it be?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to sum things up" at the end of a section or presentation to provide a clear and concise recap of the key points.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive paragraphs or sections with "to sum things up". Vary your transitional phrases to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to sum things up" functions as a transitional phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it introduces a summary or conclusion, providing a concise overview of previously discussed information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to sum things up" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce a concise summary or conclusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively signals a recap of the main points. It is most frequently used in News & Media and is suitable for various contexts, though slightly more informal. While it's a handy phrase, remember to vary your transitional language to keep your writing engaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in conclusion

A more formal way to indicate the ending of a discussion or argument.

in summary

Similar to 'in conclusion' but often used for shorter recaps.

to summarize

A verb phrase expressing the action of summarizing.

in a nutshell

Implies a very brief and concise summary.

to put it briefly

Focuses on the brevity of the summary.

the bottom line is

Highlights the most important point.

all in all

Provides a general overall summary.

ultimately

Indicates the final result or conclusion.

in essence

Captures the core meaning or point.

the long and short of it

An idiomatic way to indicate a brief summary after a lengthy explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "to sum things up" in a sentence?

You can use "to sum things up" to introduce a concise summary of the main points. For example, "To sum things up, the project was successful due to effective teamwork and diligent planning."

What are some alternatives to "to sum things up"?

You can use alternatives like "in conclusion", "in summary", or "in a nutshell" depending on the context.

Is it formal or informal to use "to sum things up"?

"To sum things up" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal, suitable for most conversational and professional contexts. For more formal settings, consider using "in conclusion" or "in summary".

When is it appropriate to use "to sum things up" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "to sum things up" when you want to provide a brief overview of the key points discussed, typically at the end of a section or document.