total spending

USAGE SUMMARY

"total spending" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the aggregate sum of money spent for a particular purpose. For example, "The company's total spending on research and development was $300,000 last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In 2016, total spending for the United States totaled a little less than four trillion dollars.

Huffington Post

Total spending was not disclosed.

The New York Times

Total spending exceeded $6 million.

The New York Times

Total spending was estimated at $125 million.

The New York Times

That would cut total spending on grants by 61%.

The Guardian

Total spending for both publications was estimated at $4 million.

The New York Times

Total spending was estimated at more than $120 million.

The New York Times

Total spending was estimated at as much as $35 million.

The New York Times

That increased his total spending to about $39.7 million.

The New York Times

First, he asserted that total income must equal total spending.

The Economist

Total spending on books is not likely to rise.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "total spending", clearly define the scope (e.g., by year, by department) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "total spending" without specifying what is being spent on. Always provide context, such as "total spending on marketing" or "total government spending".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "total spending" primarily functions as a noun phrase that refers to the aggregate amount of money spent. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for general use. Examples show it used across various domains to quantify expenditures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "total spending" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the overall amount of money spent. As Ludwig AI confirms, its broad applicability makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, business, and academic settings. When using "total spending", ensure you provide sufficient context to specify the scope of expenditure being discussed. Alternatives like "aggregate expenditure" or "overall outlay" may be used depending on the desired level of formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

total expenses

Focuses specifically on the costs incurred, rather than the broader concept of spending.

overall expenditure

Focuses on the complete sum of money spent but emphasizes the act of expending.

aggregate expenditure

Highlights the combined amount of spending from different sources or categories.

full cost

Highlights the total price or expense associated with something.

entire outlay

Emphasizes the total cost or investment made for a specific purpose.

combined spending

Emphasizes the aggregation of multiple spending activities.

gross disbursement

Highlights the distribution of funds and the overall amount disbursed.

total disbursement

Highlights the distribution of funds, with a focus on the total amount.

complete financial commitment

Emphasizes the obligation to spend a certain amount of money.

budgeted expenditure

Focuses on the amount of money planned for spending.

FAQs

How is "total spending" used in economic contexts?

In economics, "total spending" often refers to aggregate demand, representing the total amount of goods and services purchased in an economy at a given price level and time. It is closely related to concepts like "consumer spending", investment, and government expenditure.

What are some alternatives to "total spending" in a financial report?

In financial reports, you might use terms like "aggregate expenditure", "overall outlay", or "total expenses" to refer to "total spending", depending on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is there a difference between "total spending" and "total expenditure"?

While "total spending" and "total expenditure" are often used interchangeably, "total expenditure" might be considered slightly more formal and is often used in academic or official documents. The meaning remains largely the same.

How can I calculate "total spending" for my business?

To calculate "total spending" for your business, sum up all expenses incurred during a specific period, including operational costs, marketing expenses, salaries, and any other financial outlays. Accurate record-keeping is essential for calculating the "total spending".