What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sum
Example
The sum of 5 and 7 is 12. [sum: noun]
Example
The sum total of my savings is $5000. [sum total: noun]
Example
In sum, we need to work harder to achieve our goals. [sum: verb]
total
Example
The total cost of the project was $10,000. [total: noun]
Example
After adding up all the scores, the team's total was 75. [total: adjective]
Example
The total number of participants in the event was 200. [total: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Total is more commonly used than sum in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications and is more accessible to non-technical audiences.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between sum and total?
Sum is generally considered more formal than total, as it is often used in academic or technical contexts where precision and accuracy are important.
