total points

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "total points" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as scoring systems, competitions, or assessments where a cumulative score is being referenced. Example: "At the end of the game, the team with the highest total points will be declared the winner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It gained 270 total points.

The New York Times - Arts

Total points for my three favorite books: 49.

The New York Times - Books

He received one first-place vote and 18 total points.

The New York Times - Sports

But York's 41 total points are 16 behind Gomez.

The New York Times - Sports

(b) Total points of the three items were compared.

Nature

Club and school games are won on total points.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sharapova hit 18. Cadantu won only 18 total points.

The New York Times

The second tie-break was total points, which Japan won.

The New York Times

She finished the tournament with 207 total points.

The New York Times - Sports

Hennigan is second in conference history in total points.

The New York Times

The athlete with the most total points wins.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a competition or game, use "total points" to clearly indicate the final, combined score that determines the winner. Ensure the context makes it clear how these points are earned.

Common error

Avoid using "total points" when a simple count or number is sufficient. Ensure the term accurately reflects a calculated or aggregated score, not just a quantity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "total points" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in identifying and quantifying cumulative scores across diverse fields such as sports, academics, and certification processes. It clearly denotes an aggregate value.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "total points" is a grammatically sound and very common term used to denote a cumulative score across various contexts, as validated by Ludwig. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Science publications, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using "total points", ensure the context clarifies how these points are derived and aggregated. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overall score

Focuses on the final, encompassing value rather than the individual contributions.

aggregate score

Implies a collected or combined score from multiple sources or events.

cumulative score

Highlights the accumulating nature of the score over time or across events.

combined score

Emphasizes the joining of multiple scores into a single value.

final score

Refers specifically to the score at the end of a competition or evaluation.

grand total

Indicates a comprehensive sum, often used in financial or statistical contexts.

total tally

Synonymous with "total points", using 'tally' to emphasize counting or recording.

overall result

Broadly refers to the outcome, which may be represented by a score.

accumulated points

Similar to 'cumulative score', but puts more emphasis on the action of accumulating

master score

Indicates a score that represents expertise and authority

FAQs

How is "total points" typically used in sports?

In sports, "total points" usually refers to the cumulative score achieved by a team or individual over a game, match, or tournament. It's the primary metric for determining the winner in many sports.

What is a synonym for "total points" in academic settings?

In academic settings, a good synonym for "total points" could be "overall score" or "cumulative score", particularly when referring to grades or assessments.

Is it correct to use "total points" when referring to individual contributions?

While "total points" generally refers to a combined score, you can use it to describe an individual's contribution to that score, such as "He scored 20 of the team's "total points"".

How does "total points" differ from "average score"?

"Total points" represents the sum of all points, while "average score" is the "total points" divided by the number of events or participants. The "average score" provides a measure of central tendency, while "total points" reflects the absolute accumulation.