Phrasal verb
sum up
Definitions
01to summarize
B2 · Upper Intermediate
phr.v. to give a short description of the main facts or ideas of something.
phr.v. to present the main points or essence of a matter in a concise form. Often used to conclude a speech, essay, or meeting.
“To sum up, we need to reduce our spending and find new customers.”
“The chairman's closing remarks served to sum up the diverse perspectives shared during the three-day symposium on urban planning.”
02to calculate a total
B2 · Upper Intermediate Mathematics
phr.v. to add up different amounts to find the total.
phr.v. to calculate the total of a series of numbers or quantities. Transitive when an object is present, though often used with 'everything' or 'it all'.
“The accountant will sum up the expenses at the end of the month.”
“After the auction concluded, the clerk had to sum up the final bids to determine the total revenue generated for the charity.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “sum up” in context.
Verb
01. sum up in a single word
“If I had to sum up his performance in a single word, it would be 'outstanding'.”
verb + prep + adj + noun
02. sum up the findings in a report
“The committee will sum up the findings in a report to be published next month.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
03. try to sum up the experience
“It is difficult to try to sum up the experience of traveling across the desert in just a few minutes.”
verb + infinitive
Adverb
04. neatly sum up the main points
“The final slide of the presentation neatly sums up the main points of our research.”
adv + verb + noun
05. perfectly sum up the situation
“His brief comment perfectly summed up the situation, capturing everyone's frustration.”
adv + verb + noun
06. succinctly sum up the argument
“The lawyer tried to succinctly sum up the argument before the jury went to deliberate.”
adv + verb + noun
Teaching tip
contrast with 'summarize' (more formal) and 'recap' (more casual/spoken); 'sum up' is versatile and works well in both academic writing and business meetings.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
sum (+ object) + up (+ object)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/sum-up