sums
/sʌm/ (bre, ipa) · [sˈʌmz] /sʌm/ (ame, ipa) · [sˈʌmz] /ˈsəm How to pronounce sum (audio)/ (ame, mw)
sums — noun
1. A specific quantity of money, which can be large or small.
A specific quantity of money, which can be large or small.
The insurance company paid Isabela a large sum for the damage to her house.
a + adj + sum of + money: 'a large sum'
Kofi received a lump sum of fifty thousand dollars when he retired from the factory.
a lump sum — a single payment of money
The charity raised a considerable sum for the new hospital wing in the village.
Small monthly payments can add up to a significant sum over several years.
Hannah agreed to lend the sum of two hundred dollars to her cousin for the bus fare.
文法句型
a + adj + sum + of + money
用法筆記
Commonly paired with adjectives like 'large', 'small', 'considerable', 'lump', 'modest', 'sizable' to describe the amount.
常見錯誤
2. The result that comes from putting several amounts together to make a single, la
The result that comes from putting several amounts together to make a single, larger amount.
The sum of twelve and seven is nineteen, which is an odd number.
the sum of X and Y = result
Erik checked his calculation twice to make sure the sum was correct before handing in his test.
Lara asked the children to find the sum of all the numbers in the first column of the table.
The sum of their ages is seventy-three years, which the class found surprising.
If you add the scores from all five rounds, the sum is two hundred and forty points.
- difference
the result of subtraction
文法句型
the sum of + numbers/nouns
常見錯誤
3. Used in the fixed phrase 'in sum' to introduce a general statement that covers e
Used in the fixed phrase 'in sum' to introduce a general statement that covers everything previously mentioned.
In sum, the board agreed that the plan needed more research before it could go ahead.
In sum, [main conclusion]
The professor's final lecture was, in sum, a reminder that curiosity matters more than grades do.
To sum up, the project was successful but cost more money than the team had expected.
In sum, Takeshi argued that the company should focus on product quality before anything else.
- in short
more common in everyday speech, slightly less formal
- in conclusion
formal, typically used in writing to signal the final paragraph
- briefly
adverb emphasising conciseness
文法句型
in sum
用法筆記
Nearly always appears as the fixed phrase 'in sum' at the beginning of a concluding sentence. The related verb form 'to sum up' is more common in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
4. A total that covers everything being considered — in many cases, a notably small
A total that covers everything being considered — in many cases, a notably small one.
That disappointing sum was all the money Faisal had managed to save in an entire year.
The sum total of Walid's belongings fit into a single suitcase when he moved abroad.
the sum total of — emphasises smallness
Priya's knowledge of French amounted to the sum of a few words she had learned on holiday.
After months of fundraising, the sum raised was barely enough to buy new books for one classroom.
文法句型
the sum total of + noun
the sum of + noun
用法筆記
Often carries a disappointed or dismissive tone. The phrase 'sum total' is especially common when the speaker wants to emphasise how little something amounts to.
5. A simple calculation that involves adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing
A simple calculation that involves adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing numbers, especially for school exercises.
The teacher gave the class a page of sums to finish before the lunch bell rang.
a page of sums
Gabriel struggled with the division sums at first but found addition easy.
Ari helped his younger sister check her maths sums after dinner each evening.
The exam had twenty simple sums and five word problems that took longer to solve.
Doing mental sums while shopping helps Pim keep track of how much money he is spending.
- calculation
broader — includes complex or real-world maths
- problem
more general term used in American English
- arithmetic
the subject itself, not a single exercise
文法句型
do sums
word sums
用法筆記
This use is especially common in British English education contexts. In American English, 'math problems' or 'calculations' are more typical.
常見錯誤
6. The most important or essential part of something, such as an argument, book, or
The most important or essential part of something, such as an argument, book, or speech.
The sum of Isabela's speech was that the community needed to work together to solve the problem.
the sum of + noun (speech/argument/idea)
If you want the sum of the report, it simply says the river is clean enough to swim in now.
The sum and substance of the novel is that kindness always wins in the end.
Pim asked for the sum of the meeting since he had arrived twenty minutes late.
文法句型
the sum of + noun
the sum and substance
用法筆記
Formal in tone. The fixed phrase 'the sum and substance of' is an idiomatic expression that reinforces the meaning.
sums — verb
- sumspresent simple I / you / we / they
- sumses3rd person singular
- sumsing-ing form
- sumsedpast simple
1. To add numbers together to find their total amount.
To add numbers together to find their total amount.
The accountant summed the expenses for the month and found they were far too high.
sum + plural noun (expenses/costs/figures)
Kofi summed the numbers in his head faster than most people can with a calculator.
Before you pay at the checkout, sum the prices of all the items in your basket.
Reuben summed the votes from each district and announced the winner of the election.
Can you sum up these three columns of figures for me while I check the receipts?
文法句型
sum + plural noun phrase
sum up + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often interchangeable with 'add up' in casual speech. When used with 'up', the meaning stays the same but can sound more natural in spoken English.
常見錯誤
2. To express the most important facts or ideas about something in a short, clear f
To express the most important facts or ideas about something in a short, clear form.
The final paragraph sums the main argument of the essay in just three sentences.
sum + noun (the argument/the situation/the point)
Walid summed the situation by saying they needed more time and more money to finish.
Hannah summed up her years of travel experience in one short sentence for the interviewer.
The teacher asked each student to sum up what they had learned from the class project.
- elaborate
to give more detail rather than less
文法句型
sum up + noun phrase
sum up + wh-clause
sum + noun phrase
用法筆記
The phrasal verb 'sum up' is far more common than 'sum' alone for this sense in both spoken and written English. The bare verb 'sum' is more formal and less frequent.