total sum

USAGE SUMMARY

"total sum" is a correct and usable phrase in written English and is often used to refer to the entirety of something or the grand total of something.
For example, "I tallied up our expenses and the total sum was fifty dollars."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The total sum is '200'200

The Guardian - Music

This quantity is known as the total sum of squares.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The total sum will rise as the number of exam-takers rises.

The New York Times

Lenders add the cost to the loan and calculate interest based on the total sum.

The Guardian - Business

It is the total sum of all our carbon emissions that will determine the impacts.

The Guardian

The total sum involved was £1m according to a report to the Fifa ethics committee.

The Guardian - Sport

Mamma Mia and Cats currently make up the total sum of musical theatre in China.

The Guardian - Opinion

The total sum may be the same but the allocation of the burden should still be part of the debate.

The Guardian

At the start of the 2012-13 financial year, the total sum of the WICB's retained earnings was $128,090.

The Guardian - Sport

The total sum raised from this year's event – as with the definitive guest list – is currently unknown.

The Guardian

That's the total sum of Dnipro's shirt numbers, thanks in particular to Boyko (71), Fedetsky (44) and Matheus (99).

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a final calculation or aggregation, use "total sum" to clearly communicate the final result. For example, "The "total sum" of the expenses came to $500."

Common error

Avoid using redundant expressions like "total sum total" because "total" and "sum" already imply completeness. Stick to using ""total sum"" or "total" for conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "total sum" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It refers to the aggregate or final amount resulting from a calculation or accumulation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

57%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "total sum" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, particularly in news, media, and scientific domains. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is used to denote the final amount or aggregate resulting from a calculation. While widely accepted, it's crucial to avoid redundancy by not repeating "total" and "sum" unnecessarily. The phrase serves to provide clarity and precision when referring to the entirety of a quantity, making it a valuable tool in effective communication. Consider alternatives like "aggregate total" or "sum total" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aggregate total

Focuses on the combined aspect of the total.

sum total

Emphasizes the completeness of the summation.

grand total

Implies a final and comprehensive calculation.

overall total

Highlights the comprehensive aspect of the total.

complete amount

Stresses the fullness of the quantity.

final figure

Highlights the result of a calculation.

cumulative amount

Focuses on the accumulated value.

combined total

Stresses the combination of multiple amounts.

net amount

Indicates the final amount after deductions.

total value

Focuses on the worth of the total.

FAQs

How can I use "total sum" in a sentence?

You can use "total sum" to refer to the final amount after adding everything together. For instance, "The "total sum" of the donations exceeded our expectations."

What phrases are similar to "total sum"?

Similar phrases include "aggregate total", "sum total", or "grand total", which all refer to the complete amount.

Is it grammatically correct to say "total sum"?

Yes, "total sum" is grammatically correct and commonly used. However, be mindful of potential redundancy, as "total" and "sum" essentially convey the same meaning. Using just "total" might suffice in some contexts.

What's the difference between "total amount" and "total sum"?

"Total amount" and "total sum" are often interchangeable. However, "total sum" usually implies addition, while "total amount" can refer to a quantity without explicitly suggesting it was calculated through addition. Consider using "overall amount" as alternative.