subtotal
subtotal — noun
1. a number that represents the combined value of only some items in a list, before
a number that represents the combined value of only some items in a list, before more items are added to reach the final total
After entering all her grocery items, Rania checked the subtotal before adding the delivery fee.
collocation: check the subtotal
The invoice showed a subtotal of $450 for replacement parts, with tax listed further below.
The website showed a subtotal for the three books before the discount code was applied.
Mizuki added each column and wrote the subtotal at the bottom of the sheet.
At the bottom of the receipt, the subtotal appears just above the sales tax line.
- partial sum
a more mathematical term, common in statistics and computer programming
- running total
focuses on the cumulative value that grows as each item is added, rather than a fixed intermediate figure
- interim total
slightly more formal; emphasises that this is a temporary stopping point in the calculation
- grand total
the final sum after all items, taxes, and fees have been included
- final amount
the complete figure that a customer actually pays
用法筆記
Common in retail receipts, invoices, and spreadsheets. The subtotal is an intermediate figure — the customer still needs to add tax, shipping, or other charges to get the final amount due.
常見錯誤
subtotal — adjective
1. describing a state or condition that is almost, but not completely, full or abso
describing a state or condition that is almost, but not completely, full or absolute — for example, a subtotal removal of a tumour means most of it was taken out but a small part remains
After the earthquake, engineers reported a subtotal collapse of the warehouse's main support wall.
collocation: subtotal collapse
The surgeon performed subtotal removal of the thyroid, leaving a small part for hormone function.
medical usage: subtotal removal / subtotal gastrectomy
The transplant team observed subtotal failure of the donor liver within the first week.
The storm caused subtotal damage to the roof, but a few chimney tiles stayed on.
- near-complete
the standard everyday alternative, far more common in general writing
- almost total
slightly more emphatic; works in both formal and informal registers
- partial
broader and more common, but may understate the degree — 'subtotal' implies a higher percentage than 'partial'
用法筆記
Rare outside medical and technical writing. In everyday English, 'near-complete' or 'almost total' is preferred. Most commonly found in surgical terminology (e.g. subtotal gastrectomy, subtotal thyroidectomy), where it describes the removal of most but not all of an organ.