with a total of

USAGE SUMMARY

"with a total of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to denote an amount or quantity. For example, "The store sold five hundred items with a total of five thousand dollars."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He finished with a total of 18-under 270.

The New York Times - Sports

Create four columns with a total of 10 new plots.

Harvard University

Sexton finished with a total of 28 points.

The New York Times - Sports

Rossi is fourth with a total of 185.

Independent

Two articles were identified, with a total of 22 patients.

International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Avalon now owns and operates four complexes on Long Island with a total of 915 apartments.

The New York Times

There are three buildings on the site, with a total of 1.4 million square feet.

The New York Times

It was a game pitting two programs with a total of 14 national titles.

The New York Times - Sports

Emmeline [Pankhurst] was arrested along with a total of 220 other protesters".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The zone contains 175 registered poultry farms, with a total of 3.1 million birds.

The New York Times

There will be three midrise buildings with a total of 120 apartments and 46 town houses.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with a total of" to clearly state the cumulative amount when presenting numerical data, especially when summarizing multiple contributing factors. For example, "The project involved three teams with a total of 50 members."

Common error

Avoid redundancy by not using "total" in situations where it's implied. For instance, instead of saying "The grand total with a total of," opt for "The grand total is" or "The total is."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with a total of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or noun phrase by specifying a quantity or sum. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in quantifying various subjects, like populations, scores, and financial amounts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "with a total of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to specify quantities or sums. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a versatile phrase appearing across various contexts, from news reporting to scientific analyses. While applicable in many situations, it's essential to avoid redundancy for clarity. Alternatives like "in total" offer more concise options. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal writing, provided it enhances the message's precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in total

A shorter, more direct way to indicate the overall quantity or sum.

amounting to

Focuses on the final sum or result, often used when calculating a value.

totaling

Emphasizes the process of adding up to reach a specific figure.

altogether

Highlights the combined number or value, emphasizing inclusivity.

for a combined

Stresses that multiple elements are being added together.

which sums to

Similar to "amounting to" but with a focus on the calculation process.

having a sum of

More formal and precise, suitable for technical or academic contexts.

with a combined value of

Highlights the monetary or quantitative worth of multiple items.

for an aggregate of

Formal and emphasizes the collection or accumulation of something.

representing a grand total of

Used to emphasize a significant overall sum.

FAQs

How can I use "with a total of" in a sentence?

Use "with a total of" to specify the combined quantity or amount. For example, "The company has five branches "with a total of" 200 employees."

What are some alternatives to using "with a total of"?

You can use phrases like "amounting to", "totaling", or "in total" as alternatives to "with a total of", depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "with a total of"?

While grammatically correct, using "with a total of" can be redundant in some contexts. Ensure that the use of "total" adds clarity and isn't merely repeating information already implied.

What's the difference between "in total" and "with a total of"?

"In total" is a more concise way to express the same idea, while "with a total of" may be used to add emphasis or when presenting a calculation.