total up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "total up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to the act of calculating the total amount of something, often in a financial context. Example: "At the end of the month, we need to total up all the expenses to see how much we spent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It doesn't total up actual viewing.

The New York Times

OK, let's total up your score.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the Boston Review, meanwhile, women took 46% of the total, up from 33% in 2010.

The Guardian - Books

But royalties contributed $174 million of the revenue total, up 38percentt from a year earlier.

The New York Times

Women make up 38.7percentt of the total, up from 25.3percentt last July, it said.

The New York Times

You total up the Christmas lights and get a WASP head count".

The New York Times - Books

That payout could total up to $8.4 million, Mr. Blum said in the letter.

The New York Times

*Increased funds for international narcotics control by $20 million, bringing the total up to $325 million.

The New York Times

Pecuniary penalties total up to $1.1m for companies and $220,000 for individuals.

The Guardian

If dispersed, that could total up to $5.4 million for Burger King.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Pineapple and apple pie aromas drift from the glass, implying, not surprisingly, total up-front appeal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about financial matters or statistical results, use "total up" to clearly indicate that a calculation has been made to find the final amount. For example, "After reviewing all invoices, total up the expenses for the quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "total up" when the context does not involve a numerical or quantifiable amount. For example, instead of saying "Let's total up our feelings about this," use a phrase like "Let's summarize our thoughts."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "total up" primarily functions as a verb of calculation. It describes the action of adding numbers or amounts together to reach a final sum. Ludwig AI confirms its use in contexts involving quantitative assessments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "total up" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrasal verb that means to calculate a sum. Ludwig AI validates this understanding. It is used across various contexts, including news, science, and wiki articles, with a neutral tone. While there are several alternatives like ""calculate the sum"" or "add up to", it's essential to avoid using "total up" in non-quantitative contexts. As highlighted, it serves to describe the specific act of computing a sum, making it a valuable phrase in both professional and everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

calculate the sum

Focuses on the mathematical operation of finding the sum.

compute the total

Emphasizes the action of calculating to reach a final amount.

add up to

Highlights the process of accumulation towards a final figure.

summate

A more formal and technical term for calculating a sum.

reckon up

Suggests a careful calculation or estimation.

figure out the total

Emphasizes the cognitive effort involved in determining the total.

determine the aggregate

Focuses on finding the combined amount from multiple sources.

tally

Focuses on the process of counting or recording items to find the total.

work out the sum

Similar to 'figure out', but emphasizes a step-by-step calculation.

find the grand total

Emphasizes finding the overall sum, often after multiple calculations.

FAQs

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

You can use "total up" to describe the process of calculating a sum. For example, "The accountant needs to "calculate the sum" of all sales for the month to determine revenue."

What are some alternatives to "total up"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "summate", "compute the total", or "add up to" as alternatives to "total up".

Is "total up" formal or informal?

"Total up" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both informal and professional contexts. However, in highly formal settings, consider using a more precise term like "calculate the aggregate".

When should I not use "total up"?

Avoid using "total up" in contexts that do not involve numerical quantities or measurable values. In such cases, use words like "summarize" or "recap" instead.