to sum up

USAGE SUMMARY

"to sum up" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
Generally, it's used to bring together the main points of a discussion and reach a logical conclusion. For example, "To sum up, the evidence suggests that the defendant is guilty of the crime and should be punished accordingly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It seemed to sum up the night.

The Guardian

Or, to sum up: Renaissance man.

The New York Times

To sum up, shale may not happen.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is hard to sum up "Kingmakers".

The New York Times - Books

It appeared to sum up Wigan's fortunes.

The Guardian - Sport

To sum up my first Glastonbury experience?

The Guardian - Music

To sum up, Congress needs adult supervision.

The New Yorker

To sum up, casinos import money.

The New York Times

They seemed to sum up local opinion.

The Guardian

So to sum up — Quotas: no good.

The Washington Post

Powell is best qualified to sum up Emeric Pressburger.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to sum up" to provide a concise recap of the key arguments or points made in a discussion or piece of writing, ensuring clarity and helping the reader grasp the essence of what has been presented.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive paragraphs or sections with "to sum up". Vary your transitional phrases by using alternatives such as "in conclusion" or "in summary" to maintain reader engagement and prevent redundancy.

How to use

Learn how to use "to sum up" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to sum up" is that of a transitional phrase. It signals the introduction of a condensed version of previously mentioned information. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts, ranging from news articles to scientific publications, reflecting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"To sum up" is a versatile and frequently used transitional phrase that introduces a condensed summary of key points. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific publications. It serves primarily as a signal to the reader that a concise overview is about to be presented, aiding in comprehension and retention. While its formality is generally neutral, varying transitional phrases can prevent overuse. Alternatives such as "in conclusion" or "in summary" can add variety to writing while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in conclusion

Formal synonym, emphasizing the concluding nature of the statement.

in summary

Similar to "to sum up", but slightly more formal.

to summarise

British English spelling variant of "to summarize".

to summarize

Synonym that emphasizes brevity and conciseness.

in brief

Highlights that the following information is a shortened version.

in a nutshell

Implies a highly condensed and simplified summary.

briefly

Adverbial form indicating a short explanation.

to put it briefly

Emphasizes the intent to be concise.

overall

Offers a general overview or synthesis.

in essence

Focuses on the fundamental nature or core meaning.

FAQs

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

"To sum up", is typically used at the beginning of a sentence or paragraph to introduce a summary of previous points. For example: "To sum up, the experiment confirmed our hypothesis."

What are some alternatives to "to sum up"?

You can use alternatives such as "in conclusion", "in summary", or "in brief" to vary your writing and avoid repetition.

Is "to sum up" formal or informal?

"To sum up" is generally considered neutral in formality and is appropriate for a wide range of contexts, including academic, professional, and informal writing.

When should I use "to sum up" instead of "to conclude"?

Use "to sum up" when you want to provide a brief overview of what has already been discussed. Use "to conclude" when you are at the very end of your argument and want to provide a final thought or decision.