totals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "totals" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the final amount or sum of something, often in contexts like finance, statistics, or calculations. Example: "The final totals for the project expenses were submitted to the finance department for review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Monthly totals at routinely-available sites ranged from a total of 151mm at Lake Vrynwy (Powys) to just 40mm locally in the London area.

The Guardian

Updated at 3.24pm AEST Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 2.12pm AEST05:12 A glance at the national totals of votes highlights the obvious fact it was a very bad night for Labor, but not quite the ringing endorsement of Tony Abbott that some of this morning's headlines would have you believe, writes Oliver Milman.

The Guardian

According to the current totals collated by the AEC, the Labor primary vote share has dropped by 4.1% to 3.58m.

The Guardian

Johnson matters because the IFS is seen as the ultimate arbiter on a range of issues that will have a bearing on the result on polling day: government spending totals, tax, the size of the budget deficit and living standards.

The Guardian

The actual totals for spending on the election will be even higher, but political parties and third-party campaigners are only obliged to register amounts of more than £7,500 with the spending watchdog.

The Guardian

They need to meet or exceed their last quarter totals ($5m for her, $2m for him – he also self-funded an additional $2m).

The Guardian - Opinion

Jewish organisations that record antisemitic incidents say the trend is inexorable: France's Society for the Protection of the Jewish Community says annual totals of antisemitic acts in the 2000s are seven times higher than in the 1990s.

The Guardian

These totals, Xiaomi said in a statement on Tuesday, mean its mobile division "already has a considerable user group".

The Guardian - Tech

Which would be enough to make you wonder what it is that Universal and Sony had done to see YouTube strip a billion views from each of their YouTube totals.

The Guardian - Tech

The line-up is based on official sales figures from Nielsen BookScan, year-end totals from publishers and industry input.

The Guardian - Books

But he made clear the government would stick to its deficit reduction plans and had no intention of adjusting the overall totals set out in the spending review.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "totals", ensure the context is clear about what is being summed. Providing specific units or categories enhances clarity. For instance, specify if you are referring to "total revenue", "total expenses", or "total votes".

Common error

Avoid assuming "totals" inherently represent a complete or final sum without specifying potential exclusions. Always clarify if certain factors are not included in the calculation to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "totals" is as a plural noun, referring to the combined amount of multiple items or figures. According to Ludwig, it's usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its role in contexts like election results, financial reports, and statistical summaries.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

22%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "totals" functions as a plural noun indicating a cumulative amount, commonly used across various contexts to provide a concise quantitative summary. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, appearing most frequently in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When using "totals", clarity can be improved by specifying the units or categories being summed. For related alternatives, consider "aggregate amounts" or "final figures" to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

total quantities

Focuses on the complete amount or number of items, emphasizing the numerical aspect.

aggregate amounts

Refers to the combination of several amounts into a single sum, often used in statistical or financial contexts. More formal.

overall sums

Indicates the total amount when considering all elements, often highlighting the comprehensive nature of the calculation.

final figures

Emphasizes the conclusive nature of the numbers, suggesting that they are the last and definitive count.

grand sums

Highlights the impressive or substantial nature of the total amount, often used in financial or economic contexts.

combined scores

Specifically refers to the addition of scores, often in a competitive or evaluative setting.

accumulated counts

Refers to the gradual increase in numbers over time, emphasizing the process of accumulation.

complete reckonings

Suggests a thorough and exhaustive calculation, often used in accounting or auditing contexts.

culminating numbers

Implies that the numbers represent the end result or peak value, often in a trend or series.

net proceeds

Specifies the amount remaining after deductions, often in business or sales contexts, highlighting what remains after expenses.

FAQs

How do I use "totals" in a sentence?

You can use "totals" to refer to the sum or aggregate of something. For example, "The final "totals for" the project expenses were submitted" or "The "totals of" the votes were announced".

What can I say instead of "totals"?

You can use alternatives like "sums", "aggregates", or "amounts" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "total" or "totals"?

"Total" is generally used as an adjective or a singular noun, while "totals" is the plural noun form. For example, "the total amount" vs "the "totals were" calculated".

What's the difference between "totals" and "overall"?

"Totals" refers to a specific sum or aggregate, while "overall" describes a general or comprehensive view. For example, "The "totals were" higher than expected", while "The "overall performance" was satisfactory".