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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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total the process

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "total the process" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear what is meant by "total" in this context, as it does not convey a clear action related to a process. Example: "Please total the process to ensure all steps are accounted for."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In total, the process took between two-to-four months".

News & Media

BBC

Thus, each season can produce characteristic Weekday, Saturday, and Sunday and in total the process produces nine types of days in a year.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Trump finished the night with 77% of the vote in West Virginia and 61% in Nebraska, adding 67 delegates to his total in the process.

News & Media

The Guardian

First in a marginal way, then as a total assault, the process destroyed libraries and learning, while further enriching those of the gentry who acquired the assets.

News & Media

The Guardian

In total, the screening process takes an average of 18 months to two years and involves multiple federal intelligence and security agencies who carry out a series of security screenings and checks.

News & Media

The Guardian

The particle flux imaging method, which allows the characterisation of the total process except the formation of the coating, can be used for process monitoring and quality control.

According to the State Department, the total process from the UNHCR referral to finally being admitted into the U.S. takes 18 to 24 months on average.

News & Media

Huffington Post

The hydrolysis yield (or percentage of cellulose conversion) was calculated for each step (partial hydrolysis yield) and also for the total process (total hydrolysis yield).

In the total heating process, the weight of pristine SWCNTs lost about 9% owning to the amorphous carbon residue.

"But we have total respect for the process and the committee.

The quality of the image spoke to me, and after that, it was a total immersion in the process".

News & Media

The New York Times
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To refer to summarizing or completing a process, use clearer verbs such as "summarize", "complete", or "finalize" instead of "total".

Common error

Avoid using "total" as a verb to describe the action of summarizing or completing a process. This usage is not standard and can confuse readers. Opt for verbs with clearer meanings.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "total the process" functions as a verb phrase where "total" is used as a transitive verb with "the process" as its object. However, this usage is questionable, as noted by Ludwig AI, since "total" does not typically denote summarizing or completing something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "total the process" is grammatically questionable and lacks clarity in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, the usage of "total" as a verb in this context is unconventional and can lead to misinterpretation. Although some examples exist across news and scientific sources, it is advisable to use clearer and more appropriate alternatives such as "summarize the process", "complete the process", or "evaluate the process" to ensure effective communication in formal, professional, or academic writing. Therefore, while the individual words are correct, their combination is not conventional and should be avoided.

FAQs

What does "total the process" mean?

The phrase "total the process" is not standard English and lacks a clear, universally understood meaning. It might be intended to mean "summarize the process" or "complete the process", but it's best to use clearer language.

How can I rephrase "total the process" for better clarity?

Instead of "total the process", consider using phrases like "summarize the process", "complete the process", "finalize the process" or "conclude the process" depending on the intended meaning.

Is "total the process" grammatically correct?

No, "total the process" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The verb "total" is typically used to calculate a sum, not to describe completing or summarizing a procedure. Prefer more appropriate verbs for these actions.

What is a better alternative to "total the process" in a report?

In a report, a more appropriate alternative to "total the process" would be something like "summarize the process", "review the process", or "evaluate the process". These phrases are clearer and more aligned with standard professional writing.

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: