Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Chan-Seung Lee]

In the following, which is correct?
Can you let me know why?


1.Is that the sum total of what you've done in the last two years?
2.Is that the total sum of what you've done in the last two years?


Thanks.

[lotus]

Hi Chan-Seung Lee,

QUOTE:
In the following, which is correct?
1.Is that the sum total of what you've done in the last two years?
2.Is that the total sum of what you've done in the last two years?

They're both correct depending on context. But, if this came from a textbook, number one is probably more correct, because the context of money has not been established.

The difference lies in the two terms:
sum total
total sum

Just look them as having an adjective in front of each main noun:
sum TOTAL
total SUM

Let's look at #1:
Is that the sum TOTAL of what you've done in the last two years?

What the person is asking is what you have done in TOTAL in the last two years. It could mean anything you've done. But, it usually means activities, accomplishments, etc. It could mean money. But, it's more likely that it means accomplishments.

John: I've been away in Europe the last two years. I went backpacking, site-seeing, train-riding and even saw my grandparents.
Dave: Wow, is that the sum total of what you've done in the last two years? I went to Europe before too. But, I did a lot more. I did all that and got a job and went to a local University. I guess you were having too much fun, huh?


Let's look at #2:
Is that the total SUM of what you've done in the last two years?

What the person is asking is the total SUM of what you've done or collected in the last two years. He's talking about an additive sum. He's probably talking about money.

John: I've been investing in mid-range stocks in the past two years. I also dabbled in high-risk commodities and some real estate. I'd say I made about $20,000 out of the whole thing.
David: That doesn't sound like much. Is that the total sum of what you've done in the last two years? I would think that you'd make more than $20,000, especially from real estate. Maybe you lost some from stocks.

So, sum TOTAL is a total of what you've accomplished, and total SUM is the additive sum of what you've collected.

1.Is that the sum TOTAL of what you've done (accomplished) in the last two years? (total accomplishments)
2.Is that the total SUM of what you've done (collected) in the last two years? (sum collected)

However, a sum TOTAL could also mean money in the proper context.

John: In the last couple of years, I started my own business and I grossed about $75,000 and had about $25,000 in operating costs. So, I netted about $50,000.
David: Is that the sum total of what you've done in the last two years?


--lotus