which amount to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which amount to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a total or sum of something, often in a context where you are summarizing or quantifying information. Example: "The expenses for the project, which amount to $10,000, need to be approved by the board."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

She had three serious mistakes, which amount to a failure.

The New York Times

Lazard's results, which amount to 41 cents a share, came atop $431 million in operating revenue.

The New York Times

His oeuvre consists of four films which amount to slightly less than three hours in total.

The Guardian - Film

(Compare this with current damage estimates, which amount to $40 billion).

The New York Times - Magazine

It finances most of its lending activities, which amount to more than $100 billion, through borrowing.

The Economist

It is rife with deletions, which amount to as much as 40percentt of the 400 pages.

The New York Times

Sir Martin said such flexible costs, which amount to 7percentt of revenue, could be easily cut if need be.

The New York Times

But a baker will learn a great deal from the text and explanations, which amount to a series of lessons.

The New York Times

"Out of Shape" concentrates on works on paper, which amount to about 20percentt of the collection.

The New York Times

Those passions merged in his treatments of clothing, which amount to reversible masks for the sitters and for himself.

The New Yorker

Tells about the series of decrees, which amount to a sort of Bill of Rights in reverse.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which amount to" to clearly indicate the final quantity, value, or result after a calculation or accumulation of items. This is particularly useful in reports, analyses, and summaries where precise figures are important.

Common error

Avoid using "which amount to" when referring to abstract concepts or qualities that cannot be numerically measured or totaled. This phrase is best suited for concrete values and quantities, not subjective assessments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which amount to" functions as a relative clause modifying a preceding noun phrase. It serves to specify the total value or quantity resulting from a calculation or aggregation. This is supported by Ludwig examples that quantify amounts in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which amount to" functions as a relative clause to specify a total or quantity, fitting seamlessly into formal and informal contexts. Ludwig AI shows that it is prevalent in news, science, and business writing. Given its grammatical correctness and common usage, "which amount to" is a reliable way to provide accurate quantifications. Remember to use it appropriately, ensuring you are referring to values that can be quantified. Alternative phrases such as "that totals" or "that comes to" can be used, but "which amount to" is direct and widely accepted, making it a strong choice for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that totals

Focuses on the final sum or number, emphasizing the calculation result.

that comes to

Implies a calculation or process leading to a specific result or amount.

that sums up to

Highlights the aggregation of individual items into a final total.

that is equivalent to

Emphasizes the equality or equivalence between two different things.

that represents

Focuses on the fact that something is symbolic or a stand-in for something else.

that constitutes

Suggests that certain elements make up a larger whole or category.

that equates to

Highlights a direct numerical or measurable relationship.

that tallies to

Indicates an arithmetic process of counting or adding up.

that approximates to

Implies an estimated or near-equal value.

that corresponds to

Highlights a direct connection or association between two things.

FAQs

How can I use "which amount to" in a sentence?

Use "which amount to" to specify a total or final quantity after describing contributing factors, such as, "The project's expenses, "which amount to" $5000, must be approved by the manager".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "which amount to"?

Alternatives to "which amount to" include phrases such as "that totals", "that comes to", or "that is equivalent to", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "which amount to" and "which total"?

"Which amount to" is typically used to describe a calculated sum, while "which total" is used as part of a sentence indicating a final amount. They are similar, but "which amount to" often implies a process of reaching that total.

When is it appropriate to use "which amount to" in formal writing?

It is appropriate to use "which amount to" in formal writing when you need to precisely state a total or cumulative value. This is useful in reports, analyses, and any context where accuracy in numerical representation is important. Make sure you don't use it with abstract concepts.