totals
totals — noun
- totalssingular
- totalsesplural
1. the figure that results from adding together two or more smaller numbers or quan
the figure that results from adding together two or more smaller numbers or quantities
The total for the dinner bill came to 120 dollars, so each person paid 30.
collocation: total for [item] + came to [amount]
Mira added up her monthly expenses and found the total was over 2,000 dollars.
A total of eighty students signed up for the summer dance workshop.
When the teacher counted all the votes, the total was fifty-two for each side.
- sum
used for the result of addition, especially in math
- aggregate
more formal, used in business or statistics
- grand total
emphasises that smaller subtotals are included
用法筆記
Often used with the prepositions 'of' (a total of X) and 'for' (the total for something). The phrase 'in total' means 'altogether'.
常見錯誤
totals — adjective
- totalspositive
- more totalscomparative
- most totalssuperlative
1. relating to the whole of something, with nothing left out
relating to the whole of something, with nothing left out
The total number of guests invited to the party was fifty.
before noun: total + number / amount / cost
Tendai spent the total amount of his savings on a second-hand car.
Total sales for the month of January reached one million dollars.
The total time needed to finish the project was three full weeks.
2. as great, serious, or complete in degree as it is possible to be — used to empha
as great, serious, or complete in degree as it is possible to be — used to emphasise a quality or state
The audience sat in total silence while the pianist played a Mozart sonata.
collocation: total silence / secrecy / agreement
What Esteban said to his younger brother showed total disrespect for his feelings.
After the earthquake, the city was in a state of total chaos.
The birthday party was a total disaster because the cake burned in the oven.
There was total agreement among the committee members about the new rule.
- partial
only a part of something, not the full degree
用法筆記
This sense is used before nouns that describe negative outcomes (disaster, chaos, mess) as well as neutral ones (silence, agreement). It cannot modify verbs — use 'totally' instead.
常見錯誤
totals — verb
- totalspresent simple I / you / we / they
- totalses3rd person singular
- totalsing-ing form
- totalsedpast simple
1. to reach a particular amount when all parts are counted together, or to calculat
to reach a particular amount when all parts are counted together, or to calculate the sum of numbers or amounts
The donations from the charity event totaled over ten thousand dollars.
intransitive: total + amount
Brooke totaled the scores from all five judges and announced the winner.
Her monthly expenses total more than her salary, so she needs a second job.
The shop assistant totaled up the prices of all the items on the counter.
文法句型
total + noun phrase (amount to)
total + object + up (calculate)
用法筆記
When meaning 'calculate the sum', this verb is often used with 'up' (totalled up). In American English, the past form is 'totaled'; in British English it is 'totalled'.
常見錯誤
2. to wreck a car or truck in a crash to the point where fixing it is no longer wor
to wreck a car or truck in a crash to the point where fixing it is no longer worthwhile
Eli's cousin totaled his father's pickup truck when he hit a tree.
vehicle-focused: total + car / truck / van
The insurance company said the car was totaled after the highway crash.
Sana nearly totaled her new motorcycle when she slid on the wet road.
Trang borrowed her mother's van and unfortunately totaled it on the first day.
文法句型
total + vehicle
用法筆記
Primarily used in American English for vehicles only. If you write off a vehicle in British English, use 'write off' instead.
常見錯誤
3. to damage or ruin something so severely that it no longer functions or has value
to damage or ruin something so severely that it no longer functions or has value — used figuratively for things that are not vehicles
The hailstorm totaled the farmer's entire wheat crop before harvest time.
A kitchen fire can easily total a house if nobody calls the fire department quickly.
figurative: total + non-vehicle object
The bad review from the food critic totaled the restaurant's reputation overnight.
The floodwaters totaled all the furniture in the basement within a few hours.
文法句型
total + noun phrase
用法筆記
This is an extension of sense 2 (WRECK VEHICLE) to non-vehicle objects, often used metaphorically in informal speech. It carries a stronger emotional impact than 'damage' or 'ruin'.