What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
totals
Example
The totals for this month's sales are higher than last month. [totals: noun]
Example
She added up the totals for each category to get the final amount. [totals: plural noun]
sum
Example
What is the sum of 5 and 7? [sum: noun]
Example
He calculated the sum of all the expenses for the project. [sum: noun]
Example
The sum of the parts is greater than the whole. [sum: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sum is more commonly used than totals in everyday language, as it is a more versatile term that can be used in various contexts. Totals is more specific and is often used in financial or accounting contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between totals and sum?
Both totals and sum can be used in formal and informal contexts, but totals may be more commonly associated with formal language due to its use in financial and accounting contexts.
