"add up" vs "Sum up"

Question

"add up" vs "Sum up"

Both 'sum up' and 'add up' are correct phrases in English, but they are used in different contexts. 'Sum up' is commonly used to mean providing a brief overview or conclusion of something, while 'add up' is used to mean calculating the total of numbers or making sense logically.

Last Updated: March 27, 2024

Use 'add up' when you want to calculate the total of numbers or when something makes sense logically.

Examples:

Can you add up these figures for me?
The expenses don't add up to the total budget.
It doesn't add up that he would leave without saying goodbye.
The evidence just doesn't add up in this case.
The story she told didn't add up.

Alternatives:

calculate the total
make sense
compute
total up
reckon

Use 'sum up' when you want to give a concise summary or conclusion of a topic, discussion, or situation.

Examples:

To sum up, the main points of the presentation are...
Let me sum up what we have discussed so far.
In conclusion, to sum up, we need to focus on...
To sum up, the project was a success.
To sum up, I believe we should move forward with the plan.

Alternatives:

conclude
recap
summarize
wrap up
give a summary

Answer 1

add up

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to mean calculating the total of numbers or making sense logically.

Answer 2

Sum up

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to mean providing a brief overview or conclusion of something.

"add up" vs "Sum up"

add up

Sum up

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