sum
sum — noun
1. a particular quantity of money, viewed as one complete figure
a particular quantity of money, viewed as one complete figure
The company offered Tariq a large sum for his share of the business.
large sum — a big amount of money
Indra received a small sum from her grandmother's will.
The charity managed to raise a tidy sum for the new hospital wing.
Aoi and her partner agreed to pay the outstanding sum in monthly instalments.
Investors put up a six-figure sum to launch the start-up.
文法句型
adjective + sum
sum of [money]
用法筆記
Often modified by adjectives that indicate size (large, small, tidy, undisclosed, six-figure, lump). The phrase 'lump sum' means a single payment made at once rather than in instalments.
常見錯誤
2. the single figure obtained by combining several smaller numbers through addition
the single figure obtained by combining several smaller numbers through addition
The sum of twelve and eight is twenty.
sum of [X] and [Y] — basic addition pattern
Putri checked her calculator to make sure the sum was correct.
The class had to find the sum of three numbers written on the board.
Otis added up the prices and wrote the total at the bottom of the receipt.
A running total appears at the bottom of the spreadsheet showing the cumulative sum.
- difference
the result of subtraction
文法句型
the sum of [numbers]
用法筆記
Frequently used in maths contexts with the pattern 'the sum of [X] and [Y]'. In everyday language, 'total' is more common outside of formal arithmetic.
常見錯誤
3. the entire amount or complete collection of separate parts, thought of as one un
the entire amount or complete collection of separate parts, thought of as one unit
The sum of her experience made her the best person for the job.
sum of [someone]'s experience — all parts combined
In sum, the project was a success despite the early problems.
in sum — formal phrase meaning 'in short; considering everything'
The sum total of his belongings fit into two suitcases.
Tariro believed that the sum of human knowledge should be available to everyone.
The team was greater than the sum of its individual players.
文法句型
the sum of [parts]
in sum
用法筆記
Common in the fixed phrase 'in sum', which introduces a concluding summary. 'Sum total' is an emphatic form that stresses completeness. The idiom 'greater than the sum of its parts' is a set expression.
常見錯誤
4. the whole of something, when that amount is surprisingly small or less than expe
the whole of something, when that amount is surprisingly small or less than expected
That ten-minute lesson was the sum of his training for the race.
the sum of [someone]'s training — the only preparation received
A quick glance was the sum of the attention Nadia gave to the report.
A bowl of rice was the sum of their food for the whole day.
Is that really the sum of what you learned in the course?
文法句型
not the sum of
the sum of [something] (small quantity)
用法筆記
This sense carries a tone of disappointment or understatement. It is almost always used to say that the total amount is surprisingly small. The pattern 'the sum of [something]' with this meaning implies 'only this and nothing more'.
5. a basic mathematics question that tests skill with the four standard operations
a basic mathematics question that tests skill with the four standard operations — plus, minus, times, and divide
The children were busy doing sums in their maths books.
do sums — British English for arithmetic problems
Aoi finished her sums before the rest of the class.
My father helped me check my sums before I handed in the homework.
The test had ten sums and a few word problems.
Some of the sums on the worksheet were quite tricky for a beginner.
- calculation
more general; can be simple or complex
- arithmetic problem
more explicit; used in American English
- math problem
common in American English
文法句型
do sums
用法筆記
Chiefly British English. In American English, 'arithmetic problems' or 'math problems' is more common. Usually appears in the plural form 'sums'.
常見錯誤
6. the most important ideas or central meaning of a spoken or written piece, stated
the most important ideas or central meaning of a spoken or written piece, stated briefly
The sum and substance of her argument was that education needs more funding.
sum and substance — fixed phrase for 'core idea'
Christopher read the article and gave us the sum of it in two sentences.
The sum of the professor's lecture was that climate change affects everyone.
Can you give me the sum of what was decided at the meeting?
文法句型
the sum and substance of [something]
用法筆記
Often appears in the fixed expression 'the sum and substance' (formal). This sense overlaps with verb sense 2 (summarize). Distinguish from noun sense 3 (the whole): sense 6 is about the core meaning, not the complete collection.
sum — verb
1. to add together a set of figures to find their combined total
to add together a set of figures to find their combined total
The accountant summed the expenses for the month.
Heloísa summed up the scores from all three rounds.
sum up — phrasal verb for calculating total
Can you sum these numbers on the calculator for me?
The cashier summed the items on the receipt before asking for payment.
文法句型
sum [numbers]
sum up [numbers]
用法筆記
Can be used with or without 'up' ('sum the figures' / 'sum up the figures'). 'Sum up' is more common in spoken English. 'Sum' alone can sound technical or formal.
常見錯誤
2. to state the main ideas or most important facts about something in a brief and c
to state the main ideas or most important facts about something in a brief and clear way
Tamar summed up the discussion in just three sentences.
sum up — summarize the main points
To sum up, the plan needs more work before we can move forward.
to sum up — introductory phrase for a summary
The final paragraph sums up everything the writer wanted to say.
Can you sum up what the speaker said about the new policy?
Iker summed up his feelings about the trip with a single word: amazing.
- elaborate
to give more detail rather than less
文法句型
sum up [topic]
to sum up, [summary]
sum up what/how/why...
用法筆記
Almost always used with 'up' in this sense. The standalone verb 'sum' (without 'up') as 'summarize' is very rare in modern English. 'To sum up' is a common discourse marker at the start of a concluding statement.
常見錯誤
3. to reach a particular figure when added together; to come to a certain total
to reach a particular figure when added together; to come to a certain total
The donations summed to over ten thousand dollars.
sum to [amount] — reach a particular total
The costs for the wedding summed to more than they had planned.
The hours she spent volunteering summed to nearly two hundred this year.
The company's losses summed to half a million pounds after the fire.
文法句型
sum to [total]
用法筆記
Always followed by 'to'. More formal than 'add up to' or 'come to'. In everyday conversation, 'comes to' is much more common (e.g. 'The bill comes to £45').