Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
total at
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase 'total at' is not grammatically correct in written English.
If you are looking for a phrase to indicate a total of something, you may use the phrase 'totaling' instead. For example, "John had 4 apples and 3 oranges, totaling 7 pieces of fruit."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(9)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
56 human-written examples
That would put a three-week total at $7.2 billion.
News & Media
Today, estimates put the total at roughly 30,000.
News & Media
That puts the Tim Burton fantasy's total at $51.1m.
News & Media
All together, they total at least $143,000.
News & Media
England have now passed their lowest total at the SCG.
News & Media
Israeli television put the total at more than 300,000.
News & Media
That will build to a $45 million total at the end of four years.
News & Media
An independent survey of voters leaving the polls put his winning total at about 86percentt.
News & Media
That toll is about 30 times higher than last year's total at this time, it said.
News & Media
Russian arms sales are expected to total at least USD 8 billion in 2007.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
1 human-written examples
aThe total at-risk population (14 65 years of age).
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Always double-check that the numerical values you are adding up are accurate to avoid misrepresentation of the "total".
Common error
Be mindful of using grammatically correct structures when expressing totals. While the phrase "total at" appears in some sources, it is not considered standard English. Opt for correct alternatives to maintain clarity and credibility.
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
3.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "total at" functions as part of a larger construction aiming to express a sum or final count. However, it's grammatically flawed, as noted by Ludwig AI, requiring restructuring for correctness. Examples show its intent to quantify or summarize.
Frequent in
News & Media
74%
Science
24%
Formal & Business
2%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "total at" is frequently encountered, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies this issue, recommending alternatives like "totaling" or "amounting to". Despite its prevalence in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, its incorrect grammar makes it unsuitable for formal or academic writing. It's primarily found in news and media, with a smaller presence in scientific contexts. To ensure clear and credible communication, it's best to use grammatically correct alternatives. Therefore, remember to prioritize grammatical accuracy over familiarity to maintain clarity in writing.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
totaling
Replaces the phrase with a single verb that captures the action of summing up to a total amount.
amounting to
Uses a participial phrase to express the reaching of a specific sum or quantity.
with a total of
Adds introductory words to clarify a value.
in total equaling
Provides a more descriptive approach to conveying the final sum.
the total being
A more formal way of specifying a sum or quantity.
which totals
Introduces the cumulative value as a secondary piece of information.
altogether reaching
Combines an adverb and a verb to indicate the accumulation.
with an aggregate of
Employs more formal vocabulary to describe the total value.
when summed equaling
Describes the addition process leading to the final amount.
the combined total is
A more explicit phrasing to communicate the overall amount after combining different values.
FAQs
What are the alternatives to "total at"?
Alternatives include "totaling", "amounting to", or "with a total of", offering grammatically sound ways to express similar ideas.
Is the phrase "total at" grammatically correct?
No, the phrase "total at" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use alternatives like "totaling" or "amounting to".
How can I correctly express the sum of several items?
To express the sum of several items, use phrases like "the total is", or "the sum is", followed by the numerical value. Alternatively, you can use "amounting to" before the value.
What's the difference between "total at" and "totaling"?
"Total at" is not grammatically correct. "Totaling" is the present participle of the verb "total" and can be used to correctly indicate the process of adding up to a sum.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
3.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested