which amounts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which amounts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a total or sum that results from a calculation or consideration of various factors. Example: "The total expenses for the project, which amounts to $10,000, need to be approved by the board."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which amounts to the same thing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Which amounts to much the same thing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All of which amounts to a serious worry.

The Guardian

Or Big Oil, which amounts to the same thing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Or how sincere they were willing themselves to be, which amounts to the same thing.

The New Yorker

The funding, which amounts to £250m a year, will be confirmed in the budget on Wednesday.

The Guardian

Tells about the Vietnamese government's unwillinness to weaken the infrastructure which amounts to a subterranean government.

The New Yorker

All of which amounts to a sad, if predictable, cop-out on Trump's part.

The New Yorker

All of which amounts to something like a short story itself, with its own amusing charm.

The Guardian - Books

The show has eleven sections, each of which amounts to a sparkling mini-show.

The New Yorker

Or a fear of death, which amounts to the same thing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which amounts to the same thing", ensure both options being compared are genuinely equivalent in the given context.

Common error

Avoid using "which amounts" in very casual conversation; simpler alternatives like "so" or "that means" may sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which amounts" functions as a relative clause introducing a consequence, sum, or equivalent value. As shown by Ludwig, it often connects a preceding statement to its numerical or qualitative result. The phrase indicates a total that results from calculation or consideration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

19%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which amounts" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a quantitative or qualitative result. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and particularly common in news, scientific, and academic writing. The phrase serves to clarify the impact or consequence of a preceding statement by providing a specific value or equivalent. While it can be used more broadly, it's less frequent in casual contexts. Consider alternatives like "which totals" or "resulting in" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which totals

Replaces "amounts" with "totals", focusing on the sum or final count.

which equals

Uses "equals" instead of "amounts", indicating an equivalent value.

that comes to

Expresses the final cost or result in a more conversational way.

that adds up to

Similar to "that comes to", but emphasizes the accumulation of something.

resulting in

Focuses on the outcome or consequence of something.

that is equivalent to

Highlights the equivalence or sameness in value or effect.

that signifies

Emphasizes the meaning or implication of something.

that represents

Indicates what something stands for or symbolizes.

that implies

Suggests a logical consequence or result.

that indicates

Points out or shows something, often a specific result.

FAQs

How can I use "which amounts" in a sentence?

You can use "which amounts" to introduce a calculation or a consequence, like in "The total cost, which amounts to $500, must be approved".

What can I say instead of "which amounts"?

You can use alternatives like "which totals", "which equals", or "resulting in" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "which amounts to the same thing"?

Yes, "which amounts to the same thing" is correct and used to indicate that two things are essentially equivalent in a particular context. See also "that is equivalent to".

What's the difference between "which amounts" and "which includes"?

"Which amounts" indicates a total or sum, while "which includes" introduces components or items within a larger group or total. It depends on what meaning you want to convey.